Academics from around the world gathered at the Hill of Tara in Co Meath yesterday to highlight why plans for the M3 motorway should be abandoned.
Several history experts who signed a petition calling on the Government to reconsider the proposed route gathered at the site.
The group debated the site's inclusion in Ireland's ancient historical tales to show the significance of the former Co Meath seat of the kings.
Dr Muireann Ni Bhrolchain, from the department of medieval Irish and Celtic studies at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, said scholars made the trip to Tara as part of a conference on the Ulster Cycle of Literature organised by the college.
Dr Ni Bhrolchain, who is a member of the Save the Tara Skryne Valley group, has been calling for the new road to be placed further away from the hill.
The Ulster Literary Cycle contains a collection of heroic tales following the exploits of ancient mythical men who were buried at the ancient site of the Navan fort near Armagh.
Dr Ni Bhrolchain said the stories went on to influence many literary figures including W B Yeats, Lady Gregory and Patrick Pearse.
The scholars were among more than 200 academics who expressed their concern to Environment Minister Dick Roche over proposals for the controversial road last April.
However, Mr Roche has given the go ahead for preliminary work to begin on the route.