Brehons, Brahmins, and an Irish Scholar who made an Incredible Connection
Myles Dillon spent fifty years arguing that early Ireland and ancient India shared more than a distant ancestor — this is his story, and his case
irish mythology
What Does Brehon Law Say About the Sea? Muirbretha—Sea Judgements
Muirbretha, the "sea-judgements," is the main surviving Brehon law text on maritime affairs, and it survives only because a handful of scribes thought it worth copying fragments of it into…
How the Irish Got Their Language | Origins of Gaelic and Ogham
Auraicept na n-Éces, or The Scholars' Primer, is one of the most important and fascinating surviving texts from medieval Ireland. It stands as the earliest known native Irish treatise on grammar, poetics, and the philosophy of language.
Trial by Truth: The Twelve Ordeals of Brehon Law and the Testament of Morann
When people imagine early Irish law, they usually picture the brithem — the brehon — weighing evidence and handing down a careful judgement based on precedent. That's true enough for…
The Silver Branch: Cormac Mac Airt and the Price of the Otherworld
There's a passage that turns up in a lot of anthologies of Irish myth, usually just a page or two, that starts with a strange young man walking up to the King of Tara carrying a branch of silver with three golden apples on it...
Ireland’s Oldest Rule for Kings: Tell the Truth, or Watch the Kingdom Die
Imagine a political idea so old and so serious that a king who told a lie could, in theory, cause the harvest to fail.
The Last Fili? Osborn Bergin: The Scholar Who Carried the Name of Legend
Osborn Joseph Bergin (1873–1950) was a towering figure in Celtic studies. Read on to learn more about this veritable master of the Irish language, in all its historical forms, a brilliant philologist, an exacting editor of manuscripts, and a dedicated teacher who helped shape the next generation of scholars, including Myles Dillon.
The Spirit of the Law: What Irish Mythology Can Teach Us About Ancient Irish Laws
A guide to the principles of Ireland's ancient legal tradition, told through myth and legend. The Demise of the Brehon Laws? Sir John Davies wrote the following in a treatise…
Maria Johnston: Awakening Vision Éire – Channeling Ancient Ireland’s Magic Through Visionary Art & Collective Transformation
Step into the captivating and mystical world of acclaimed Irish visionary artist Maria Johnston. In this intimate and revealing interview, Maria generously shares the fascinating evolution of her creative journey…
Ancient Tongue – Modern Voice: Siobhán De Poar on Poetry, Language & Heritage
Meet Siobhán De Poar, an acclaimed Irish performance poet, spoken-word artist, dramaturg, file and passionate language revivalist behind Wild Irish Retreats. With roots in West Kerry and Kilkenny, Siobhán has…