Early Irish Law

Early Irish Law" was often, although not universally, referred to within the law texts as "Fenechas", the law of the Feni, or the freemen of Ireland. They are also referred to as "Brehon Law". The word "Brehon" is a derivation of breitheamh the Irish word for a judge.

The laws were a civil rather than a criminal code. These laws are of great antiquity.

Under Brehon Law women were equal to men with regard to education and property. Woman stood emancipated from the remotest time. Women in ancient Ireland were often eligible for the professions, and for rank and fame. They were druidesses, poets, physicians, sages, and lawgivers.

Bridget was not only the name of the ancient Irish goddess who represented poetry and wisdom, and of the later saint who helped to spread Christianity throughout Ireland, but was also the name of an Irish lawgiver, Brigid Brethra, or Brigid of the Judgments, who lived about the time of Christ. It is this Brigid who is responsible for granting the right to women to inherit the land from their fathers in the absence of sons.


Comment; This Briget was probably responsible for the marriage law applied in Teltown, County Meath