Ancient Laws of Ireland. Volume One: Introduction To Senchus Mor and Athgabhail; or, Law of Distress, as Contained in the Harleian Manuscripts. Published under Direction of the Commission for Publishing the Ancient Laws and Institutes of Ireland. Dublin: Alex. Thom, 1865. Pp, 335. Volume Two: Senchus Part 2. Law of Distress (Completed); Laws of Hostage-Sureties, Fosterage, Saer-Stock Tenure, Daer-Stock Tenure, and Social Connexions. Dublin, 1869. Pp, (60), 447. Volume Three. Senchus Mor (Conclusion). Being the Corus Bescna, or Customary Law. And The Book of Aichill. Dublin, 1873. Pp, (171), 600. Volume Four: Din Techtugad and certain other selected Brehon Law Tracts. Dublin, 1879. Pp, (234), 424. Volume Five: Uraicecht Becc and certain other selected Brehon Law Tracts. Dublin, 1901. Pp, (15), 595. Volume Six: Glossary to Volumes 1-5. Dublin, 1901. Pp, (6), 792. Publisher’s quarter calf paper boards. Title in gilt to spines. Binding scuffed & with shelf-wear. Vol (1) upper board reattached with tape repair. Contents generally in very good condition throughout.

Text in Irish with English translation on opposite pages.

On the 19th day of February, 1852, the Rev. James Henthorne Todd, and the Rev. Charles Graves, submitted to the Irish Government a proposal for the transcription, translation, and publication of the Ancient Laws and Institutes of Ireland. In November of the same year a Commission was established to direct, superintend, and carry into effect the translation of the Ancient Laws, and the preparation of the same for publication.

The Ancient Laws of Ireland is a collection of legal texts that were written in the Old Irish language and date back to the 7th century. The texts were compiled over several centuries and cover a wide range of topics, including land ownership, marriage, crime, and inheritance. The texts were first published in the 19th century under the direction of the Commissioners for Publishing the Ancient Laws and Institutes of Ireland. The publication was a significant achievement in the study of Irish law and history, and it remains an essential resource for scholars and researchers today.

These six volumes is the result of this momentous effort, the definitive work on the Brehon Laws and other ancient institutions of Ireland.