For thousands of years Ireland lived under a native set of laws and customs, known today as the Brehon Law.

During this time, Ireland was ‘stateless’, there was no central authority making laws, issuing decrees or collecting taxes, there were no police force or prisons,...

The early Irish revered members of society who had great skill and learning, making no distinction between males or females.

From poets, musicians, and craftsmen to historians, judges and doctors, we’ll learn about the value given to these members of society.

In this...

When people talk about the Brehon Laws we often hear mention of how women's rights were very good in early Ireland.

While this is true in many respects, it would be slightly misguided to say that women were 'equal' to men in all respects.

But it is important to note...

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 would have guessed that it ended in a bitter and brutal dispute over royalties.

Background

The disput...

The Lost Laws of Ireland: The Brehon Laws

The Brehon Law Academy is very pleased to post our first guest contribution! 

And we're doubly pleased to have such an accomplished author and contributor to the study of the Brehon Laws - Catherine Duggan. 

Catherine Dug...

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 complex tapestry of romance, magic, heroism, conquest, and defeat.

Gaelic mythology shares these and many ot...

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 a renter economy with a carefully defined social hierarchy. Status was determ...

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 in judgement or pass themselves off as more qualified to mediate a case than they actual...