The Hill of Tara and Trim Castle: Day 10 – Ireland 2014

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18 April 2014

After a chilly night in the tent, we decided to warm up with a walk along one of the trails in Gosford Forest Park before heading out to visit the Hill of Tara and Trim Castle. We decided to walk only one trail because we didn’t want to miss out on the other attractions we had on the docket for the day.

The trail we chose was perfect for a morning stroll. It took us down to the creekside where an old well still stands. Nearby, three graves rest peacefully in the shade of the many massive trees. We were the only people on the path that morning and we took our time enjoying the scenery. After the trail led us back to our campsite, we packed everything back into the car (Billy showed off his AMAZING muscles), and then we headed out to our first attraction of the day.

Walking through Gosford Forest Park

The Hill of Tara

First up was the Hill of Tara. While it may not be much to look at in present-day, it must have been awe-inspiring in its prime. We toured the grassy hills, soaking in the history. Known as ‘The Seat of the High Kings,’ this location has been a prominent spot since the Stone Age. With over 30 monuments discovered here, there is quite a bit to ponder as you walk the rolling landscape.

Once an ancient seat of power, it is believed that 142 kings reigned here through the eras. It is a sacred place where kings came to power and where the dead were honored. Among the many monuments are the Mound of the Hostages, a neolithic passage tomb, and the Stone of Destiny. Legend has it that when the true king of Tara touched the Stone of Destiny, it would roar. There are also countless conspiracy theories that the original Stone of Destiny was taken by the Scots and is now the coronation stone of the British monarchy. Who knows! One thing is for certain: this place holds centuries of history and is truly a wonder to walk through. Use your imagination if you go and try to imagine what it must have been like in eras gone by.

Exploring the Hill of Tara

Trim Castle

A short drive from The Hill of Tara is the ruin of Trim Castle. Little did we know that we were about to discover Billy’s favorite castle ever. We’ve seen many castles over the years, and to date, this one remains his top choice.

The largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, the construction of Trim Castle began in 1176. A wooden fortress had once stood where the stone keep stands today. Rising three stories high, the tower boasts an impressive 20 sides. A curtain wall surrounds it and there is plenty to explore. When purchasing tickets, you have the option of purchasing a ticket to access the grounds, or you can also purchase a guided tour of the keep. Obviously, we sprung for the guided tour.

Stepping Back In Time

We gathered at the foot of the stairs leading up to the castle with a small group of others, waiting for the tour to begin. Our tour guide was a white-haired older gentleman who spoke his introduction in Irish. I was immediately in love! He was incredibly fiery and one of the first things he said in English was a threat to the British to dare try to take the castle back. It belonged to the Irish now, and they’d fight to the death before handing it over. Seriously. I loved this guy.

He gave a phenomenal tour of the keep, which lasted an hour or so and ended with a walk along the ramparts, taking in the breathtaking views. I was so enthralled with his stories and history-telling that I completely forgot to take photos while inside the keep. Side-note; the only way to see the keep is by guided tour and we highly recommend it! It’s absolutely worth it.

Once done with our tour, we walked the grounds and explored to our heart’s content. It’s an incredible place and an absolute must-see if you are into castles. It remains the finest example of Norman architecture that still stands in Ireland today.

Poking about at Trim Castle

Settling Down For The Night

After grabbing some ice cream from a shop near the castle, we jumped back in the car and drove to our campground for the night. We were staying at Hidden Valley Resort which turned out to be an awesome little spot. There wasn’t much to see in the town up the hill when we were there, but we enjoyed chips from the little food stand that was on-site at the campground. I didn’t see any mention of the food stand on their website, so I’m not sure if it’s still there, but from the looks of their restaurant recommendations in Rathdrum, I’d say there is more to see in the town nowadays than when we visited.

After wandering the streets of Rathdrum, we found an empty patch of grass, pitched our tent, and settled in for the night. It was a wonderful day and we’d highly recommend seeing the Hill of Tara and Trim Castle back to back. They are only 20 minutes apart, and both offer quite a bit to explore and tons of history to revel in. And both have an ice cream shop within walking distance!
Cheers,
Lydia and Billy