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The Stone of Destiny Sitting on top of the King's Seat (Forradh) of Temair is the most famous of Tara's monuments - Ireland's ancient coronation stone - the Lia Fail or "Stone of Destiny", which was brought here according to mythology by the godlike people, the Tuatha Dé Danann, as one of their sacred objects. It was said to roar when touched by the rightful king of Tara. WHICH STONE? Formerly located just north of the Mound of the Hostages (see map), it was moved to its current site after the Battle of Tara during the Irish revolution of 1798 to mark the graves of 400 rebels who died here. Some say the true Stone of Destiny was formerly the Pillow of Jacob from the Old Testament. They also claim it was flat and that it was moved from Tara by King Fergus of Scotland and was named the Stone of Scone which then became the coronation stone of British kings at Westminster Cathedral. Many historians accept that the present granite pillar at Tara is the true Stone of Destiny, but a number of people have argued that the Stone of Scone is in fact the real thing. One legend states that it was only one of four stones positioned at the cardinal directions on Tara - and it is interesting to note that the Hall of Tara, the ancient political centre of Ireland, is aligned North-South.

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Legend has it that... some of Ireland's greatest legendary kings were in power about the time of the close of the 1st century. Tuathal Teachtmhar had ruled 30 years as king and was claimed to have annexed the territory around Tara to make Midhe (Meath) the Royal Province. Tuathal's palace was said to be at Uisneach, a position near the central point of the island.

He was the 1O6th Monarch and was born around 56 Ad his mother was pregant with him when his father Fiacha Fionn Ola was slain.

Tuathal Teachtmar was slain in 1O6 A.D. by his successor, Mal.

During his life ,with the help of his Grandfather, the King of Alba, and his friends, Tuathal Techtmar went into Ireland and after scores of battles, restored the true royal blood and heirs to their respective provincial kingdoms.

He imposed a tremendous fine or "eric" upon the province of Leinster for the death of his only two daughters, Fithir and Darina, to be paid forever to the Monarchs of Ireland. This fine was collected each year through the reigns of forty Monarchs, sometimes by sword and fire, until at last remitted at the pleading of St. Moling.

Tuathal married Baine, daughter of Sgaile Balbh, King of England.

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Tuathal Techtmar built his Royal Palace at Tailtean (now Teltown) around the grave of Queen Tailte. He caused the Fairs to be resumed. A search for Teltown revealed it was originally called Tailte Teia (Teia's land or Tailtiu) and was built in the 6th century BC by Queen Teia Tephi; after whom it was named.

Teia Tephi was Queen of Tara and ruled Ireland from Tara and lived in her palace, Rath Dubh, at Teltown until her death on 1 August 534 BC.

Fiache was the 104th Monarch; reigned 17 years, and was (A.D. 56) slain by Eiliomh MacConrach, of the Race if Ir, who succeeded him on the throne. This Fiacha was married to Eithne, daughter of the King of Alba; whither, being near her confinement at the death of her husband, she went, and was there delivered of a son, who was named Tuathal.

Fiacha Fionn Ola (or Fiacha of the White Oxen): According to some annalists, it was in this Monarch's reign that the Milesian nobility and gentry of Ireland were treacherously murdered by the Attacotti, as already mentioned; but, in the "Roll of the Monarchs of Ireland" (see page 58), Cairbre, Cean-Cait, whom the Attacotti set up as a king of their own tribe, is given as the 101st, while this Fiacha is there given as the 104th Monarch of Ireland: therefore Cairbre Cean-Cait reigned before, and not after Fiacha Fionn Ola.