Testimonials
The tour of the Hill of Tara that we received from Martin Dier was both deeply generous and stunningly well-informed. We're from the US, with Irish heritage, and both grew up hearing myths and legend from Ireland... of which it turns out quite a lot were misinformed. The depth of Martin's education is phenomenally wide ranging and he shared it generously with us during a cloudless afternoon.
He started by asking about our interests, so that he could spill out pieces of his knowledge that would interest us. We asked for the broad story, and so we walked onto the hill together following the path of kings of old at an important ceremony, with Martin narrating the journey so that we heard the music and felt the excitement. The depth and breadth of Martin's knowledge of the place and his soft, kind way of relating it to us gave us a feeling that we were in his grandfather's yard and he was discussing the ins and outs of his family's estate.
Martin showed us maps of the area based on high-tech archaeological tools as well as maps from digs of the area. He described this science-based knowledge and compared and contrasted it to the oral tradition and ancient myths. He would tell us things like, "here's where the sacred wells are, though you can't see them anymore." Then he would show us some of his ground-penetrating radar images that confirmed his claims. He'd follow that scientific proof with a tale, like the story about how some say that Merlin originally built Stonehenge on Tara and then, using magic, floated it across to it's current location.
Martin's account of the historical influence of Tara as a center of pilgrimage, royalty, politics, and everything else "Irish" was astoundingly whole and complete. He described centuries of recorded history, and explained current archaeolgical funding. He described survey lines and ley lines. He encouraged us to feel and observe the different parts of the hill, many of which the casual observer would miss completely -- we certainly would have. Martin never attempted to explain "THE Truth," but, through his stories, facts and findings simply informed and enriched our experience in a way that has made us ever-grateful.
In addition to what Martin shared with us about the Hill of Tara, he gave us context and information that fueled our understanding of our next day's visit to Knowth and Newgrange. Our tours there were far richer and more comprehensive because of the seeds that he planted before we arrived.
We believe that a tour with Native Spirit Tours is essential to understanding this part of the world and highly recommend it to anyone considering seeing the Hill of Tara - or Ireland at all!
Rita Conley & Shane Mitchell
Seattle, Washington, USA
with gratitude, thanks, thanks and thanks again! (for the healing circle time, the labyrinth, and the tour!)
Rita & Shane
We had the pleasure of showing Betty Jo Harper of Fort Wayne, Indiana, around the local sacred and historical sites -
I am glad to give a positive testimonial to having visited the High Celtic Crosses, including tea -- as well as Fourknocks and Dowth. I did feel as if you had given me a great deal of information about Knowth and Newgrange. Since I had been to Iceland previously and seen the Whooper Swans there and then to see them in the Boyne Valley was terrific. Feeling Earth Energy while in Fourknocks and then really getting a powerful surge of it at Knowth the second day was something I will never explain, but know it is there for some to experience. The power of suggestion might give someone else the idea that they can get in touch with it, but I think there is more going on there than we all truly understand. I eager for Round II. BJ
and this is one of BJ's interests -
In November 2009 we were delighted to see BJ again - she gave a talk at the Royal School, Armagh, and we enjoyed an evening talk by her on Archaeoastronomy in Navan.
I just wanted to say thank you for opening my mind to the wonders of the Tara landscape on that wonderful sunny evening last weekend. It was my first visit to Tara, and as a city girl, with almost no background in history, I would have found myself lost looking absently at ‘grassy mounds’ but not understanding them.
But you brought the landscape alive for me, and you helped me understand the history and heritage that inhabits it. The depth of your knowledge and passion was clear, and yet you made it accessible for someone like me. I was confused by the media debate about the M3 motorway. I wish that at that time I’d had the benefit of Native Spirit Tours and your appreciation of the priceless treasure that is this landscape. I wonder what might have happened if others who were making important decisions had spent a couple of hours with you walking through the landscape itself?
Paula Downey
Dublin
Book on-line or call usMartin Dier - TaraHeritage@iolfree.ie 00 353 (0)86 3375837Nora Judge Nora@TaraCelebrations.org00 353 (0)85 1261154
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