3 Principles of Brehon Law That Could Improve Society
Could these 3 principles of Brehon Law lead to a better society if they were used today? 1. An open-market of competing judges. 2. Greater consequences for those of greater…
Ancient Irish Anarchy: Kevin Flanagan Coombes @ ESFL Conference, Prague 2016
For thousands of years prior to its invasion by its neighbours Ireland was under a native set of laws and customs known today as the Brehon Law. During this time…
Brehon Law on Uisneach Hill
In this video, I discuss Ireland's ancient Brehon Laws on the Hill of Uisneach, Westmeath, as a guest speaker at the Uisneach Fire Festival 2015 (uisneach.ie). 'Brehon Law' refers to…
‘True Judgement’ or How Young Cormac Mac Airt was Recognised as King
Long ago, the people of Ireland were internationally renowned for their love of law and their intricate justice system. Law was the articulation of fairness and the embodiment of justice,…
History of Copyright Law Rooted in Ireland?
It is a little known fact that the history of copyright law begins with the Brehon Laws of Ancient Ireland over 1000 years before it appeared in English legislation. Who…
Guest Contribution: The Lost Laws of Ireland by Catherine Duggan
The Brehon Law Academy is very pleased to host our first guest contribution! Catherine Duggan has written 'The Lost Laws of Ireland' and shares her views on the Brehon Law…
Fasting for Justice: Hunger Strike in Ancient Ireland
When we think about 'fasting for justice' today many Irish minds of a certain age would likely drift towards thoughts of Bobby Sands and the H-Block Hunger Strikers of 1981. While an important chapter of modern Irish history the principle of fasting for justice or hunger-striking is not a new one; it was practiced by the early Irish in the times of Brehon laws as a means of compelling a stronger party to justice.
Three Things A False Judge Deserves
Every false judge deserves a short life, removal from office, and death without an heir. In this triad the brehon (or judge) is reminded of the consequences should they err…
Maxim: He Condones Who Does Not Denounce
This Maxim reflects a common theme found throughout the BrehonLaws of Early Ireland; personal social responsibility. Social responsibility was both morally expected and in many ways legally ordained. While this Maxim,…
The Beginning of the End? The Papal Bull of Pope Adrian IV
A defining moment in the erosion of the old Irish ways came from the Vatican in 1155 when the Catholic Pope Adrian IV (1100-59); the Vatican’s first and only English Pope,…