Early Irish Culture and Society | Online Course

Curriculum

7 Sections
55 Lessons
Lifetime

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Fáilte - Welcome!
Meet your instructor and find out what's to come on the course.
1
- 1.1
  Instructor Introduction and Course Overview
Family, Land, and the Home
Learn about various aspects of early Irish social and family life, including the tribe and family structure, dwellings, traditional roles of men and women, marriage and divorce laws, children and fosterage, land ownership and inheritance, and the culture of Gaelic clans.
15
Social Status & Society in Early Ireland
Learn about the hierarchy of social status, from the unfree classes and free classes to the highly skilled Áes Dana and the privileged An Nemed. Explore the distinct characteristics of each class and their role in shaping the society of early Ireland.
7
Royal Erin: Irish Kingship and Royal Sites
Learn about kingship in early Ireland, exploring the grades of kingship, the election process, hostages, rituals, royal sites, Brian Boru's Harp, and Irish kings from the 7th and 8th centuries.
9
Education & The Seven Grades of Wisdom
Learn how education was highly valued in ancient Ireland by exploring the nature of schooling, and the varying degrees of learning known as the “Seven Grades of Wisdom”.
3
From Crom Cruach to Christ: Beliefs & Spirituality
Learn about the rich spiritual beliefs and practices of the ancient Irish people as we explore the old religion and the Druids until the arrival of Christianity, learn about the unique funeral customs including the Irish lament, or keening.
7
Wider Society
Learn about the diverse customs and culture of ancient Ireland, including the 14 Ancient Names of Ireland, the use of money, the Brehon Laws, the significance of ancient Irish Bards, hospitality, sickness, health, music, art, festivals and assemblies, the origins of the MacNamara clan, and the Irish customs that provide further insight into the country's historical traditions.
13

From Chieftains to High-Kings : The Primary Grades of Kingship

In this lesson, we will explore the complex system of early Irish kingship, which was organized into a hierarchical structure of chieftains and kings, culminating in the high king of all Ireland.

We will examine the different grades of kingship, from the basic “rí” or chieftain of a tuath to the powerful over-kings of confederacies and the kings of the Five Provinces.

We will also discuss the factors that determined a chieftain’s degree of sovereignty, wealth, and personal power, and how this impacted their status within the system of kingship.

Lesson Outcomes:

Describe the hierarchical structure of early Irish kingship
Identify the different grades of kingship and their corresponding levels of power and authority
Explain the factors that determined a chieftain’s degree of sovereignty, wealth, and personal power
Analyze the impact of the hierarchical system of kingship on early Irish society and politics

Additional Materials:

Lesson Transcript: From Chieftains to High Kings: The System of Early Irish Kingship

Kings of Ireland (Ríthe na hÉireann)