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…
Brehon law
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…
Online Database for Irish Myths and Sagas
The mythology of ancient Ireland is made up of a number literary epics and tales of ‘gods and men’ that interlink and cross-over one another to form a rich and…
Irish Manuscripts: Crith Gablach-Branched Purchase
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…
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.
Irish Manuscripts: Uraicecht Becc – The Short Primer
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…
Irish Manuscripts: Bretha Nemed –The Judgements of the Privileged Classes
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…
Irish Manuscripts: Corus Bescna – Contracts
While the Corus Bescna text covers several areas, its principal focus is on the law of contract. Its opening line reminds us: "The world would be evilly situated if…
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,…