Irish Laws, Old Irish Laws

"THE BIG LITTLE BOOK OF IRISH WIT & WISDOM" Black Dog & Leventhal publishers, New York

How many things add to the price of land?

A wood, a mine, the site of a mill, a highway, a road, a great sea, a river, a mountain, a river falling into the sea, a cooling pond for cattle.

Add three cows to the price if it is near a chieftain's house or a monastery.

"THE BIG LITTLE BOOK OF IRISH WIT & WISDOM" Black Dog & Leventhal publishers, New York

For stripping the bark of an oak tree, enough to tan the leather for a pair of women's shoes, the fine is one cow hide.

The defendant must cover the bruised portion with a mixture of wet clay, new milk and cow dung.

“The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom” Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, New York

If a man takes a woman off on a horse, into the woods or onto a sea going ship, and if members of the woman’s tribe are present, they must object within twenty-four hours or they may not demand payment of the fine.

“The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom” Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, New York

The husband-to-be shall pay a bride-price of land, cattle, horses, gold or silver to the father of the bride. Husband and wife retain individual rights to all the land, flocks and household goods each brings to the marriage.

“The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom” Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, New York

The husband who, though listlessness, does not go to his wife in her bed must pay a fine.

“The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom” Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, New York

If a pregnant woman craves a morsel of food and her husband withholds it through stinginess or neglect, he must pay a fine.

“The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom” Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, New York

Children shall be sent at an early age to distant members of the tribe to be reared in the hereditary professions of law, medicine, poetic composition of war, or of tilling the soil and wifeliness. Foster children shall be returned to their parents at the marriage age: fourteen for girls and seventeen for boys.

“The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom” Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, New York

If a woman makes an assignation with a man to come to her bed in a bed or behind a bush, the man is not considered guilty even if she screams. If she has not agreed to a meeting, however, he is guilty as soon as she screams.

“The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom” Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, New York

If the chief wife scratches the concubine but it is out of rightful jealousy that she does it, she is exempt from liability for injury. The same does not hold true for injuries by the concubine.

“The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom” Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, New York

Six cows are the fine for breaking a tribesman’s two front teeth; twelve heifers, for maiming a homeless man.

For pulling off the hairs of a virgin bishop the fine is one yearling heifer for every twenty hairs.

“The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom” Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, New York

The doctor shall build his house over a running stream.

His house must not be slovenly or smeared with the tracks of snails.

It must have four doors that open out so the patients may be seen from every side at all times.

“The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom” Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, New York

No foods, drinks or female scolds are allowed in the doctor’s house when a patient is healing there. No bad news to be brought, and no talking across the bed. No grunting of pigs or barking of dogs outside.

“The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom” Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, New York

If the doctor heals your wound, bit it breaks out anew because of his carelessness, neglector gross want of skill, he must return the fee you paid. He must also pay you damages as if the himself had wounded you.

“The Big Little Book of Irish Wit & Wisdom” Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, New York

Whoever comes to your door, you must feed him or care for him, with no questions asked.

I like this one. It's the way it is at home. You don't have a visitor that you don't feed. It's the way it is. In contrast, it's strange visiting out here. No one asks you what you'd like? Sometimes not even coffee or tea is offered.