Sacred Spaces of Ritual,
Kingship & Culture

Sacred Places of Ritual, Kingship & Culture

The Royal Sites of Ireland are ancient centres of power, found across the island. These were places 
of royal inauguration and gathering, rich in history, mythology, and spiritual significance.

Aerial view of a grassy hill with multiple circular formations and linear patterns.
Hill of Tara

Follow in the footsteps of Ireland’s High Kings on the Hill of Tara
An aerial view of the historic Rock of Cashel, a medieval ecclesiastical site in Ireland consisting of a group of well-preserved stone buildings and towers on a hilltop.
Rock of Cashel

Explore where kings knelt and churches rose
Snow-covered rolling hills and valleys with a frozen pond in the foreground.
Navan Fort

Step into the stronghold of warriors and legend
Large, mossy boulders in a forested clearing on a hillside.
Hill of Uisneach

Stand at the centre where Ireland’s provinces meet
Aerial view of a circular earthwork with a raised central mound on a grassy field.
Rathcroghan

Uncover tales of Queen Medb and ancient passageways
Aerial view of a large, circular, grassy enclosure surrounded by a ring of trees in a rural landscape.
Dún Ailinne

Leinster’s royal stage, alive with ceremony and rivalry

UNESCO status

The Royal Sites of Ireland are currently on Ireland’s Tentative List for 
UNESCO World Heritage status — the first formal step toward international recognition. Inclusion on this list signals that these sites may meet the criteria for Outstanding Universal Value, a designation reserved for places that offer unique insight into the shared heritage of our humanity.

The nomination reflects the sites’ significance as ceremonial centres tied to Iron Age and early medieval kingship, belief systems, and the evolving political identity of the island. While not yet inscribed, their candidacy supports ongoing efforts to protect, interpret, and sustain these places through cross-border collaboration and long-term planning.

Aerial view of a large crop circle pattern in a green field, surrounded by rolling hills and countryside.

Hill of Tara Co. Meath

A scenic landscape with a historic castle atop a hill, surrounded by lush greenery and a winding road.

Rock of Cashel CO. Tipperary

A grassy knoll with a few small trees on the horizon, set against a cloudy sky.

Navan Fort Co. Armagh

Weathered, moss-covered rocks stand in a lush, green meadow surrounded by trees, with a vibrant sunset in the background.

Hill of Uisneach CO. Westmeath

Panoramic view of rolling green hills and fields at sunset, with the sun's rays streaming across the landscape.

Rathcroghan Co. Roscommon

An aerial view of a circular earthwork surrounded by fields, with a distant town visible in the background.

Dún Ailinne Co. Kildare