The Gazette 1995

GAZETTE

A PR 11 loos

N E W S

The Burren Law School

by Brian Sheridan

THE BREHON LAWYERS

On a visit to the magical landscape of the Burren in 1993,1 came across what was described to me as "a monument to lawyers". It was the O'Dhalaigh Monument near Ballyvaughan. The discovery was music to the ears of a then member of the Public Relations Committee of the Law Society. On further investigation, I discovered that the Burren was, in fact,.the site of three law schools in Medieval Ireland. Further enquiries led me to the site of the O'Davoren Law School, the remains of which can be seen and are a public monument near Corkscrew Hill outside Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare. It was here that between the years of 1563 and 1569 Domnall O'Davoren and his pupils compiled a manuscript now known as "Egerton 88" which contains an invaluable glossary of Brehon Law and a variety of law texts, one dating back to the 8th Century. It is one of the primary sources of our knowledge of the Brehon Laws. It is presently in the British Library and large sections of it are yet to be translated. In discovering the Brehon Laws, one is discovering a rich legal tradition. While many of me manuscripts date from the 12th to the 14th Century, linguistic analysis indicates that these refer to texts which were in existence as far back as 700 A.D. It may surprise the reader, as it did me, that in 16th Century Ireland there were an established number of legal practices. Noted families such as the O'Breslins, the McEgans and the McClanceys were the most noted of these. They were lawyers to the Chieftains of their local "Tuaithe". The O'Daverns were lawyers to the O'Loughlins, Princes of the Burren who had their seat at Newtown Castle, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare which has recently been restored and its surrounding buildings converted into an International Art College. It was here in

At the Inaugural Burren Law School 1995 are from left to right: Eamonn Barnes. DPP; Brian Sheridan, Convenor of Burren Law School and Paddy Glynn, President of the Law Society

February 1994, over a most enjoyable lunch, and assisted by liquid refreshment, I proposed the idea of reviving the concept of the O'Davern Law School. The idea met with swift approval by Michael and Mary Green, restorers of the Castle and hence the Burren Law School was born. With the support of the Clare Bar Association and the voluntary assistance of many, the inauguration took place in April of 1994 when the first law school was opened by his Honour, Judge Anthony Harte (Northern Ireland) President of the legal History Society. The keynote address at the Seminar which was devoted to the theme of "Women in Irish Law" was delivered by Mr. Mervyn Taylor who addressed the broad issue of the introduction of divorce. The second Burren Law School was devoted to the theme of "Crime and Punishment in Irish Law" and took place in April. It was opened by Mr. Donal Carey T.D., Minister for Western Development and the keynote addresses were given by Mr Eamon Barnes, Director of Public Prosecutions and by His Honour Judge Michael Moriarty. Dr. Muirin Ni Bhrolchain, lecturer in

Celtic Studies at Maynooth University, gave the Brehon Law Perspective. There were contributions from Paddx Glynn, President of the Law Society, Prof. William Duncan, Dr Art O'Connor and Kieran McGrath, Social Worker which added to the lively debate. The aims of The Burren Law School are fourfold. • to provide a forum for legal discussion on topics of social interest. • to develop an appreciation by lawyers and others alike of our rich legal tradition. • to provide a forum for inter-disciplinary discussion in which lawyers speak to members of other professions on topics of mutual interest. • to encourage knowledge of the Burren itself and the afternoons of the seminars are devoted to guided field trips to interesting sites. A longer term objective is the creation of a trust to promote greater awareness of our legal heritage and to provide resources for its dissemination and in practical terms the translation of texts. The Burren Law School has met with an extraordinarily enthusiastic response. I am particularly pleased that the Burren

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