The inauguration stone for the High Kings of Ireland

This phallic-looking pillar stone is known as the ‘The Lia Fail’ or Stone of Destiny. It is located on the inauguration mound on the Hill of Tara in County Meath. This is the oldest inauguration site in Ireland and saw the reign of 142 monarchs over a period of 2000 years. It is believed to have magical properties and when the rightful King put his feet against it, it would roar with joy, rejuvenate him and endow him with a long reign. This ritual was practiced for hundreds of years up until 500 AD. The Tuatha De Danann named Ireland ‘Inis Fail’ after it and the term ‘Fianna Fail’ meaning ‘soldiers of destiny’ also takes its name from this stone. It is hard to prove that this is the original coronation stone but these types of stone symbols were used by Gaelic tribes all over Ireland and Scotland and most were relatively small and portable. There are also 30 visible and 30 buried monuments on this site, some of which date back to 3000 BC.