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.
buy this book
*Tuam Herald*
an interesting and enjoyable read
*Dublin Gazette*
Jo Kerrigan is a specialist in ancient crafts and folklore, she
devotes herself to exploring how everyday life was lived long years
ago
*RTE Radio 1’s Oliver Callan show*
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