Ancient Irish Law

Ancient Irish Law, known as Brehon Law, was a sophisticated legal system practiced in Ireland from around the 7th century until the 17th century. It was based on customary practices and emphasized community harmony, fairness, and restitution over punishment. Laws covered areas like property rights, marriage, inheritance, and obligations, often resolving disputes through compensation rather than imprisonment. The Brehon Laws were flexible, adapting to social changes, and were recorded in legal texts called brehon laws. They reflected Irish society’s values, valuing kinship, status, and communal responsibility, and remained influential even after English legal influence increased.