Brehon Law: A System of Justice for Modern Times? Reimagining Traditional Legal Systems for Today’s World

Brehon Law, also known as Fenechus, is a unique and remarkable legal system that flourished in Early Ireland from around the 7th to the 17th century. It was an intricate…

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From Cows to Coins: Understanding the Economics of Early Ireland and the Role of Brehon Law in Trade and Commerce

Early Ireland was a society that relied heavily on agriculture, and cattle were the most important form of wealth. In fact, cattle were often used as a form of currency,…

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How Did The Brehon Laws Handle Mental Illness?

It might come as a surprise to find that the early Irish had the prevention of the exploitation of individuals who suffered from a disability or mental health issues in their minds, but we know this is the case from the research of great scholars on early Irish law who translated the law tracts. Foremost among these living scholars is Dr Fergus Kelly who deals with these topics in his book Early Irish Law, and his article 'Medicine and Early Irish Law'.

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