Ancient Laws of Ireland - Volume 1: Senchus Mor

7, Trinity College, Dublin,
October, 1901.

My Lord,

Having been requested by the Commissioners for publishing the Ancient Laws and Institutions of Ireland to edit those Brehon Law Tracts The Brehon Laws were the ancient legal system of Ireland, practiced from the Iron Age until the 17th century. translated by Dr. O’Donovan or Professor O’Curry that might be most suitable for publication, I have accordingly prepared and seen through the press the text and translation of the several Brehon Law Tracts contained in this, the fifth volume.

I have transcribed the text again in all cases and compared it with the original manuscripts. In the case of the Heptads A specific collection of Irish law tracts organized into groups of seven., I have attempted to show the different readings found in the more important alternative manuscripts. Even a brief study of the Glossary for the entire five volumes—which I have prepared and printed in the sixth volume—will show that there is plenty of room for further study and careful comparison to clarify many points that are still obscure.

The translation is based upon the work previously done by Dr. O’Donovan and Professor O’Curry.

In the Glossary, which makes up the sixth volume and is now also finished, I have tried to present the vocabulary and phrasing used in these five volumes as completely as time and space would permit. I hope that by providing references to where these words appear, students may be helped to better understand the exact meaning of difficult and debatable passages.