A low hill in County Meath that doesn’t look like much until you stand on it — and realise this is where the High Kings of Ireland (the Ard Rí) were inaugurated for over four thousand years, from ~3,000 BCE to ~1,200 CE. In Irish foundation myths, this is the country’s first parliament; Saint Patrick reportedly confronted the pagan kings here.

What you actually see: ringforts, an Iron Age banqueting hall outline, a small passage tomb (the Mound of the Hostages, c. 2,500 BCE), and the Lia Fáil (“Stone of Destiny”) that legend says cried out when touched by the rightful king.

Pro tip: there’s no audio guide on site — read the OPW visitor centre boards (or do a 15-minute prep before arriving) to make sense of what the grass-covered earthworks actually were. The hill is exposed; bring a wind layer.