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III. On the History and Antiquities of Tara Hill. By George Petrie, Esq., 

 ■ R.H.A.,M.R.I.A. 



Read 24th April, 8th May, and 22nd May, 1837. 



1 HE Ordnance Map of the County of Meath being on the eve of publication, 

 I am permitted by Colonel Colby to read to the Academy a portion of the 

 memoir written to Illustrate that map, which, from Its Importance to ancient 

 Irish topography and history, can scarcely fall to excite a general Interest, and at 

 the same time to prove In a very striking manner the value and importance of 

 the great national work of which It will constitute a portion. 



The locality to which this paper relates is the well-known hill of Tara, — a 

 spot which has been celebrated by native as well as foreign writers as the chief 

 seat of the Irish monarchs, from the earliest dawn of their history down to the 

 middle of the sixth century, at which period it was deserted. But though its 

 ancient splendour has been the theme of most modern Irish antiquaries and his- 

 torians, their labours have thrown but little light either on its past state or 

 existing remains, and have made but little impression on the minds of the learned. 

 Nor could a different result have been anticipated from careless and inaccurate 

 notices of its ruins, and conclusions drawn from vague references to Irish autho- 

 rities. The progress of the Ordnance Survey at length afforded an opportunity 

 for a more satisfactory, because a more accurate investigation ; and by a scientific 

 plan of the remains at Tara, joined to an examination of such ancient descriptive 

 notices of its former state as are still remaining, we are put into possession of all 

 the information now likely to be obtained in any way leading to its successful 

 illustration. Before, however, I lay the result before the Academy, it may not 

 be uninteresting to give some detail of the mode of investigation adopted on this 

 occasion. 



The first step was to get all the existing vestiges laid down, according to 

 measurement, on the map : this was done under the Immediate direction of 

 Captain Bordes, who had the charge of the Survey in the district. 



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