Review of Liam Breatnach, Uraicecht na Ríar: The Poetic Grades in Early Irish Law

Abstract

This book is the second volume to be published in the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies "Early Irish Law Series". (The first volume was Charles-Edwards and Kelly, Bechbretha: An Old Irish Lawtract on Bee-keeping; the third volume is reviewed elsewhere in this journal.) The centre piece of this volume is a full edition and translation of an Old Irish law text, Uraicecht na Riar, which sets out the various grades of the poetic order, together with the qualifications and entitlements of each grade. Dr. Breatnach prefaces this with some useful discussion of the distinction between the poetic and bardic orders, the patronage and appointment of poets, and the hereditary nature of the profession