Ireland's OWN: History

 

A Short History of Ireland —from The Sovereign Nation, August 2001 Celtic Ireland Prior to the rise of the Roman Empire, over two thousand years ago, Europe was a Celtic continent. Emerging from their Central European home-land in the 6th century BC, these Iron Age tribes had spread their language and culture across a huge swathe of European territory. Although this Celtic civilization stretched from modern day Spain to Hungary, its peoples never combined to form a united 'nation' or empire. Politically divided, its regions were to gradually fall one by one under Roman rule. Of all Celtic Europe, only modern day Ireland and Scotland managed to retain their independence and culture. That culture, which survived intact in Ireland into the 17th Century, was exceptionally rich in art, literature and philosophy, and provided the basis for a politically and socially advanced civilization. The Gaelic language, in fact, is Europe's third oldest written language, preceded only by Latin and Greek. Its legacy lives on today, providing Ireland with both its cultural uniqueness and its ties to the sister Celtic nations of Scotland, Wales and Brittany. By the 2nd century BC the Celts had established themselves in Ireland, assimilating an earlier Bronze Age population. The turbulent centuries that followed saw powerful new kingdoms vying with one another for supremacy, as political power coalesced around the royal forts of Tara in Meath, Emain Macha in Armagh and Rath Cruacha in Connacht. By the 5th century AD the Heroic Age of Celtic Ireland was over, but it had left behind a rich legacy of myth and legend � most famously the epic Táin Bó Cóalnge and the exploits of the Fianna. The arrival of Christianity in the 5th century marked the beginning of a new age in the history of the island. But what was life like for ordinary people living in this society? For most of its history, Celtic Ireland was a communal, agricultural society, with its social and political structures based on the clan system. Each clan, or large family group, was a politically autonomous unit, although most combined to form larger tuatha, or regional kingdoms. Within each clan, land was owned communally, and periodically redistributed among the members according to rank and need. The ceile, or 'free clansmen', were the basis of the Celtic social structure. They worked a plot of land, paid taxes towards the community, and formed the army in time of war. They also had political power, electing local assemblies to administer clan affairs. Above the ceile were the flaith, or 'civil servant' class � public officials elected by the clan to carry out administrative duties. Their work included the upkeep of roads, hospitals and public mills, along with policing and the organization of the army. They were controlled by the local assembly, and received a lifetime grant of land in return for their duties. Ranking above the flaith were the 'professional classes' — the Druids, Bards, Brehons(Judges) and Doctors. Membership of these professions was open to anyone willing and able to undertake the many years of rigorous training required. The Druids, or 'Priests' of the Celtic religion, played a varied role in Irish society, acting as religious ministers, political advisors, philosophers, historians and teachers. Although they gradually disappeared after the introduction of Christianity, their role was largely filled by the priests and monks of the new Celtic Christian Church. Above the flaith was the 'ruling class' of Celtic Ireland — the Chiefs, ranging in status from clan chiefs, through provincial 'kings', to the Ard Ri, or High King of Ireland. Brehon law provided for the election to office of all Chiefs � the concept of 'hereditary power' was unknown in Celtic society. The function and powers of a chief were also limited by Brehon law — his role was not to make laws, but merely to uphold them. He acted as the president of clan assemblies, military commander in time of war, and supreme judge in the public courts — a role more akin to that of a Republican President than an absolute monarch. Women, it should be noted, played a unique role in Irish society, in comparison with other contemporary civilizations. They possessed legal rights unparalleled anywhere in Europe until the 20th Century — including the right to be elected Chief, and to lead their clan in battle. Brehon Law, the basis of the Irish legal system, was a comprehensive and advanced legal code, based on arbitration and compensation. It provided for a wide-ranging 'social welfare' system, including land set aside for the poor, and public hospitals paid for by clan taxes. It was administered by Brehons, or professional Judges, who spent many years in training before becoming qualified. A little known aspect of Celtic Irish society is the advanced medical system in existence from its earliest days. Brehon law specifically required that the sick, the wounded and the mentally handicapped be cared for in public hospitals at the clan's expense. It also included a comprehensive system of regulations, with laws governing hospital conditions and severe penalties for unqualified physicians. The high point of Celtic Irish civilization, however, was undoubtedly the 6th to the 8th centuries � a 'golden age' created by the fusion of Celtic tradition and Latin scholarship. Traveling Irish monks exported their learning to a continent deep in the throes of the Dark Ages, while at home, monastic scholars recorded the history and mythology of their land in lavishly decorated manuscripts. Ireland had become the 'Island of Saints and Scholars'. But darker times lay ahead. The coming of the Viking raiders in the 9th century brought a new era of war and instability to Irish society. Brian Boru's victory at the battle of Clontarf in 1014 ended their reign of terror, but his reorganization of the High Kingship failed to produce its aim of a strong centralized government. A renaissance in art and literature followed, but the country was beset by dynastic rivalries. And the respite from foreign invasion was to prove short lived. A new power was emerging on the continent which was to threaten the very existence of Celtic civilization. A conquering Norman army was imposing a brutal regime of feudal slavery on the Anglo-Saxon English, and Ireland was to be its next target. Page updated 30 Mar 2008 Ireland's OWN Logo by Eamann Website Design and Celtic Background by Míchealín Daugherty Copyright © 2008 Ireland's OWN All Rights Reserved.