Recent Comments
C.H. Connelly on The Golden Noose kerryross on Cormac for President Leslie on Cormac for President kerryross on Pulling Strings wireharp on Pulling Strings
Tag Archives: brehon laws
King of Kings?
While millions of voices are lifted in song to the King of Kings this time of year, I thought I’d take the opportunity to explore the ancient Irish concept of kingship – an all-encompassing but muddy construct. So many of … Continue reading
Your Pain is My Pain
Last time, we took a look at summertime hazards – klutzy/clumsy self-inflicted accidents that might befall any one of us – and the early Irish herbal remedies used to treat the wounds. But what if your summertime blues spreads to … Continue reading
Fortress Feng Shui
In Tag! You’re It! I mentioned that I suddenly became “king’” of the library when our director went to lunch and never came back. The six-month reign I was saddled with finally came to an end when a new director … Continue reading
Posted in Archaeology, Housing, Law
Tagged archaeology, brehon laws, Ireland, ringforts
Leave a comment
Tag, You’re It!
Last October, my boss – a director of a public library – suddenly decided to retire. She went to lunch and never came back. As second-in-command, I instantly inherited all her responsibilities, heaped on top of my own. Not even … Continue reading
Posted in Law, Politics
Tagged brehon laws, Ireland, kings, kingship, succession, tanaise
Leave a comment
Access Denied
A couple weeks ago, publishing conglomerate HarperCollins announced that it would require libraries subscribing to its eBook service to purchase a new copy of an eBook after 26 circulations. In other words, after a book was checked out (downloaded to … Continue reading
Posted in History, Law, Warfare
Tagged books, brehon laws, Celtic Church, Columcille, copyright, Ireland, kings, psalter
Leave a comment
I am Woman
I was listening to a compilation of hits from the ’70s while sprucing up my kitchen last weekend. Of course, no collection would be complete without Helen Reddy’s smash I am Woman from 1972. I was only 5 then, but … Continue reading
Posted in Law, Marriage and Family
Tagged brehon laws, Ireland, Macha, marriage, Medb, women
4 Comments
Take off Your Brat and Stay Awhile
One of the things the holidays bring out is the festive clothes from our closets. No doubt the same was true for the ancient Gaels on high feast days. In this article, we’ll take a peek into the Irish wardrobe … Continue reading
The Gaelic Art of Alliance
Six years ago, I lost my mother to cancer and over the course of the same year, I was blessed with a new mother – a woman 20 years my senior who took me under her wing and saw that … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Law, Marriage and Family, Politics
Tagged brehon laws, children, fosterage, Ireland
1 Comment
Days of Future Passed
“…It was the custom for the firstborn of a tribal leader to dwell among a rival tribe once a truce had been declared. If the least of that tribe’s members died in a renewal of hostilities, the rival chieftain’s offspring … Continue reading
Speed Bumps
It happens every summer in northern climes — dreaded orange construction signs crop up on highways and main streets, multiplying overnight. My favorites are the ones that graciously tell you how long your torment will last – Construction next 15 miles. … Continue reading
