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…
Brehon law
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…
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,…
The Names of Ireland: Scotia
On the various names given to the land known as Ireland. IX. Its Ninth Appellation it receiv'd likewise from the Sons of Milesius, who nam'd it Scotia, from their Mothers…
Irish Manuscripts: The Book of Aicill
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.…
How Cú Chulain Got His Name – Restitution In Irish Mythology
Under the Ancient Irish Brehon Laws restitution was the favoured method for dealing with wrongdoings. Compensations owed by offenders are given great attention in the legal manuscripts, but it is…
3 Things One Should Keep Always Before Them
1. their worldly duties, 2. their conscience, 3. and the Laws of Nature. One of a large collection of 'Triads' - words of wisdom, advice, and guidance always given in…
On the Qualifications of a Poet
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…
Irish Manuscripts: The Senchus Mór
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…