In ancient times Tlachtga was the religious centre of Ireland and a place of ceremony where our ancestors lit fires to banish the forces of darkness on the eve of Samhain.
Today there are fears for the future of the bronze burial site that was the birthplace of Hallowe'en. A leading archaeologist, Prof George Eogan, said he believes Tlachtga to be as significant as the Hill of Tara.
Tlachtga covers two acres of farmland outside Athboy, Co Meath, and on a clear day provides breathtaking views of 13 counties. "Tlachtga dates from approximately 200 AD and is named after a sorceress who died here giving birth to triplets. Ancient fairs were held in her honour and a fire was lit on the eve of Samhain every year as a prelude to the festival of Tara 12 miles away," said Mr John Gilroy, of the Athboy Heritage Forum.
"On that night every fire in the country was extinguished and a flame from Tlachtga was brought to Tara and the High Kings and from it the fire at Tara was relit and that fire was used to relight all the fires in Ireland. We believe that the customs and festivals we know and pass onto our children on Hallowe'en night started here," Mr Gilroy added.
The Athboy Heritage Forum is concerned that the site has been overlooked by the State despite it being in the care of the Office of Public Works.
"We want recognition and an archaeological dig. It is one of the most historical sites in Ireland but the mounds are collapsing and if tourists came here and walked around it, they would be destroyed and then the site could possibly be sealed off and become inaccessible," said Mr Joe Conlon, chairman of the group.
The land is currently owned by a local farmer who allows access to visitors and it is not in any immediate danger.
The Athboy Heritage Forum fears it may suffer the same fate as Teltown, which was partly destroyed when it was bulldozed nearly two years ago.
Tlachtga is 390 feet above sea level and was last year suggested as a possible site for a mobile telephone mast. Prof Eogan said: "Without doubt it is one of the great Celtic sites of Ireland and is well documented in early Irish literature."