It's said by some that Homer described his sea as 'wine dark' because the Greeks had no word for blue. While the scholars are still debating that issue, studies on…
The Brehon ideal holds that no individual should be hindered or restricted, in any way whatsoever, in his or her personal and individual development merely because of the circumstances birth.
Irish Script on Screen (ISOS) is a fantastic resource that allows you to explore high quality scanned images of Irish manuscripts. This collection of beautifully ornate manuscripts can be viewed…
Written around 700 AD the Crith Gablach, which means ‘branched purchase’, set out the principle guidelines that should be aspired to in an ideal society. Ancient Ireland could be described as…
This poetic manuscript declares the King of Munster to be supreme and makes reference to monasteries in Emly and Cork; both counties of that province. For this reason, it is…
The significance of status in early Irish society cannot be over-emphasised. Several important texts outline the intricate classifications which were based primarily on hereditary rights, kin-ship, property ownership, and, in…
The Book of Aicill relates to the criminal law and is often discussed as being on par in significance with the Senchus Mór; although, the latter deals with civil law.…
Here are the Destructions: The Three Circuits of the House of Lir1 The Posession of Burach's House* The Destruction2 of the House of Dumha The Difference of Cathbhad's House* The…
The Senchus Mór (pronounced: shen-kus moor) is one of the most important legal texts from early Ireland and it means the ‘Great Ancient Tradition’. However, the most all-encompassing word for this body…