Talk:Mound of the Hostages

Origination

Who first named it the "mound of the hostages", and when?86.42.200.149 (talk) 10:50, 24 September 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Also, why? I vaguely recall something from my guided tour of the site about one Celtic tribe capturing warriors from another and imprisoning them here, essentially entombing them alive, though I think I also recall something about that some were eventually let free before they died of starvation, exposure, whatever. Is there any validity to this story? Someone with proper sources (not me, I'm a historian of Japan) should add something... Thanks! LordAmeth (talk) 17:03, 2 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Most of those stories have been invented by the tourguides seeing the modern iron gate to keep vandals out and making up a story based on that. The mound was a 3000BC burial tomb which was incorporated into the Tara complex due to its importance. It became the sacred neutral ground for the safe exchange of hostages between warring factions. See the National Museum of Ireland's bit on this: http://www.museum.ie/en/exhibition/ritesofpassagetara.aspx I don't have time to add this right now, but will later on. -dubhghaill — Preceding unsigned comment added by 130.15.172.198 (talk) 17:15, 17 March 2014 (UTC)[reply]