A Visit to the Brehon’s Chair, Dublin: A Step Back in Time
On a sunny afternoon not too long ago, I found myself heading to one of Dublin’s lesser-known historical spots: the Brehon’s Chair. Tucked away in Stillorgan, it’s not the sort of place you’d stumble across by accident – but once you hear its story, it’s impossible to resist going for a visit.
Now, for those who mightn’t be familiar, Brehon Law was Ireland’s old legal system, stretching back well over a thousand years. The Brehons were the judges, though it’s fair to say they weren’t like the ones you’d see in a modern courtroom. These Brehons were learned folk, passing down the law by word of mouth, settling disputes, and keeping the peace in what could sometimes be a chaotic world. They didn’t hand out prison sentences or anything of the sort – instead, they focused on fairness, often resolving things through compensation. It was all about keeping the balance in the community.
And that brings us to the Brehon’s Chair. This stone seat, sitting in a quiet corner of Dublin, is thought to be where these Brehons would have met with locals, heard their cases, and offered judgments. Imagine, in the days before courthouses and paperwork, a Brehon sitting on that very stone, deciding who owed who a cow or a bit of land, all under the Irish sky. There’s something about the idea of law and nature being so closely connected that feels very different from the way things are done now.
Standing in front of the chair, I couldn’t help but think of all the conversations and decisions that must have happened here. It’s just a stone to look at, but it holds centuries of history. You can feel the weight of it – not just the stone itself, but the role it played in keeping society together in a time when everything was a bit more fluid and local.
So, if you ever find yourself looking for something a bit off the beaten path in Dublin, take a stroll out to the Brehon’s Chair. It’s a small reminder of Ireland’s long tradition of fairness and community. Plus, it’s a lovely way to spend a bit of time pondering how different life – and law – used to be.
