Skryne, Faughan, Lismullen, Tara,
Look around these hills of drama,
For if there is a heart to Ireland
It beats here, where we now stand.
Each ditch and mound, earthwork, embankment,
Tells its story of burial and settlement,
Worship of ancient Gods, of gatherings
Right back to the time of the old High Kings.
Once a Royal City filled the whole of Gabhra
And vast timber temples formed the sanctuary of Tara.
Here fought our heroes from the time of the Fianna,
And Kings were crowned by the Tuathá de Danann.
At the mound of Hostages, Duma na nGiall,
First home to the stone of destiny, Lia Fáil,
Perfectly aligned with sunrise Samhain and Imbolc,
And the full moon in honour of Lugh.
The very folds in the landscape hold our history
And beyond that, our myth and mystery.
This is home to the Goddess Maebh
Honoured here three thousand years.
So standing here now, let’s contemplate
What will be Ireland’s fate,
If we build a road through the valley of Gabhra
And destroy the sacred sites round Tara?
What will the future say of us,
When we, in our turn, are ancestors
If we are responsible for the desecration
Of the most powerful symbol of our nation?
So lost are we to a sense of self,
Intent on destroying our truest wealth.
Only a people who do not understand
Could so wound the heart of Ireland.
Or will we become the generation
Who refused to allow this violation?
Who’ll fight to the end like heroes before
Because we know what it is we’re fighting for.
So our children’s children’s children can stand
As we now stand on this sacred land,
Feel its heartbeat, know its power,
Cos’ we saved Tara in her darkest hour.

Dearbhaile Bradley

Chief Bard of Ynys Witrin 2007

"The people united, will never be divided. Keep those blind machines from the resting bones. You are all heroes to me. All of you that have put yourselves in harms way. You put shame to all of us that should be standing by your side. The whole nation should be there. But you are the ones that have chosen to protect what should be protected. Much respect and gratitude." Stuart Townsend.

I was kissed by the dew of dear Tara
All those many long years ago.
When promise and light
Filled my days and my nights,
And the magick had found her abode.

I was blessed by the dew of dear Tara
And drank of her sacred delight,
Where the fox in the dark,
And the call of the lark,
Surrounded my soul with new light.

I was touched by the dew of dear Tara
And filled with the magick of old,
With the scent of the mist
And the rose blossom kiss
Of the faeries I in my heart hold.

I was filled by the dew of dear Tara
And the White Mare who grazed on her hills.
With the stories of old
Of the heroes so bold
Who on her green meadows were killed.

I'll come back to the dew of dear Tara
To restore the strong magick of old.
To make right the sad wrong
And to sing a new song
Of honor and courage, so bold.

Oh wait for me dew of dear Tara
For I quicken to you 'ere I die.
To be one with your love
And the brightness above
Oh wait for me, please do not cry.

The time is now nigh, my dear Tara
For the glory of all you have known,
Lives in these brave hearts
Who will bring a fresh start.
Bless these children your magick has grown.

Susan Isabella Sheehan

The dust had not yet settled
On the path I left behind
I hear the ancient whispers
Though I dare not change my mind
A strange life lay before me
On a distant misty shore
And bound I was to wander
Far beyond the sod and moor
Deep in my heart I knew full well
That I would always find
The dust had not yet settled
On the path I left behind.

Susan Isabella Sheehan