A fascinating look at the lifestyle and values of ancient Ireland
Thousands of years ago, Celtic Ireland was a land of tribes and warriors; but a widely accepted, sophisticated and surprisingly enlightened legal system kept society running smoothly.
The brehons were the keepers of these laws, which dealt with every aspect of life: land disputes; recompense for theft or violence; marriage and divorce processes; the care of trees and animals.
Transmitted orally from ancient times, the laws were transcribed by monks around the fifth century, and what survived was translated by nineteenth-century scholars.
Jo Kerrigan has immersed herself in these texts, revealing fascinating details that are inspiring for our world today.
With atmospheric photographs by Richard Mills, an accessible introduction to a hidden gem of Irish heritage
Introduction: page 9
In which the true value of this rich heritage is expounded.
Chapter One: A Brief History 13
Touching upon the best efforts of Celts and Christians, Vikings and Normans, to eradicate these great laws; also how the Elizabethan age and the Penal Laws almost succeeded, but how Brehon law somehow survived in hiding.
Chapter Two: Who Was Who in Ancient Ireland 42
Of kings and judges, poets and innkeepers – not forgetting the upwardly (and downwardly) mobile. The importance of the tribe and of the family, and the system of fosterage.
Chapter Three: For the Protection of the People 65
Concerning murder and theft, injury and insult, restitution and rehabilitation. Also, the offence of the looker-on, and the punishment of ‘the ninth wave’.
Chapter Four: Awareness of Animals 92
Wherein these are defended from injury, but also made responsible through their proper owner for their own trespasses. The personal importance of pet dogs, the rule of the cat in his every activity.
Chapter Five: Laws of the Land 117
Being the control of boundaries, every man’s right to water, the guarding of the trees be they noble or common.
Chapter Six: The Rights of Women 135
On land ownership and property, marriage and divorce, insult and rape of both kinds. The proper vengeance of a first wife upon a second, and the power of a true queen.
Chapter Seven: A Day in the Life of Ancient Ireland 155
Treating of daily life three thousand years ago, as the old laws depict it.
A Note on Sources 173
Jo Kerrigan grew up amid the wild beauties of West Cork; after working in the UK as writer, academic and journalist, she returned home to the place she loved best. She now writes regularly for a range of publications, including The Irish Examiner and the Evening Echo as well as international magazines, and operates a very popular online weblog.
Richard Mills, born in Provence, moved to West Cork at the age of 16. Since then he has combined the career of press photographer with The Irish Examiner and Evening Echo, with that of keen wildlife photographer, garnering many national and international awards and seeing his images published across the world. He has also been the subject of a TV programme by the wildlife film maker, Eamon de Buitlear.
