Brehons

Whilst the dignities of the state were disposed of by a sort of election, the office of judges, who were called Brehons, the trades of mechanics, and even those arts which we are apt to consider as depending principally on natural genius, such as poetry and music, were confined in succession to certain races: the Irish imagining that greater advantages were to be derived from an early institution, and the affection of parents desirous of perpetuating the secrets of their art in their families, than from the casual efforts of particular fancy and application.

The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 07 (of 12) Edmund Burke 1763

The essential idea of modern law is entirely absent from the Brehons, if by law is meant a command, given by some one possessing authority, to do or to forbear doing a certain thing under pains and penalties.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2: Assizes-Browne 1840-1916 1913

So soon as they conquered a territory they stamped it out, banished or slew the Brehons, and governed the land by English law.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2: Assizes-Browne 1840-1916 1913

These Brehons may very well have been in old times the Irish equivalents of the Gaulish Druids.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2: Assizes-Browne 1840-1916 1913

Ancient Irish law was not produced by a process resembling legislation, but grew up gradually round the dicta and judgments of the most famous Brehons.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2: Assizes-Browne 1840-1916 1913

With regard to the influence of the Catholic Church upon Irish law as administered by the Brehons it is difficult to say much that is positive.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2: Assizes-Browne 1840-1916 1913

We have seen that the Brehons claimed the sanction of St. Patrick for the laws contained in the Seanchus Mór.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2: Assizes-Browne 1840-1916 1913

The Brehons, in fact, appear to have never hesitated about inventing or imagining facts upon which to base their theoretical judgments.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2: Assizes-Browne 1840-1916 1913

The punishments awarded by the Brehons were of a most humane character.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2: Assizes-Browne 1840-1916 1913

The text of the Seanchus Mor relies upon the judgments of famous Brehons such as

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2: Assizes-Browne 1840-1916 1913