The Celtic Invasions -150 B.C. • Go-to-Ireland.com

Ireland’s Celts, also known as Gaels, are an ancient people whose culture and language have profoundly influenced the island’s history and heritage.

Arriving probably around 500 BC, they introduced the Iron Age to Ireland. This period is characterized by new metalworking technologies, distinctive art forms and the development of Celtic society, which was organized into clan and kingdom systems.

More precisely, the Celtic invasions of Ireland took place in two movements, one directly from the continent, the other through the north-east from northern Britain.

Their arrival helped sweep away all previous civilizations. It’s officially the start of a new era for Ireland.

After several centuries of expansion, the Celts are now omnipresent on Irish soil. It is estimated that as early as the 5th century BC. Ireland was entirely Celtic and populated by Gaels.

All the island’s populations share a common language, culture and socio-cultural organization. Even so, there was no political unity, but several kingdoms whose kings fought short but fairly regular wars.

Daily life and customs in Celtic Irish society

A people who modernized pre-Celtic Ireland

The supremacy of the Celts in Ireland considerably shaped the way of life at the time. It has to be said that the Celtic way of life was far more codified than that of earlier populations.

Their society is known for its richly decorative art, its complex mythology, and its particularly advanced system of laws, known as Brehon Law.

Brehon’s law

The latter refers to an ancient legal system that was in force in Ireland from prehistoric times until the early 17th century. It was based on customs and traditions rather than written laws imposed by a central authority. This legal system was notable for its progressive approach, particularly in the treatment of women and children, offering significant protection to these groups. The Brehons, jurists or judges, were responsible for interpreting and applying these laws. Their system was based on the payment of compensation rather than corporal punishment. Brehon’s law reflects a complex and sophisticated society, with a strong emphasis on restorative justice.

Note that Gaelic laws follow the law of nature. Christianity was added from the 5th century onwards, but did not replace it.

The king’s polygamy is accepted, on the principle that it was practiced by the Old Testament patriarchs.

A hierarchical society

Celtic society at the time was rigidly stratified, comprising royal families, nobles, free men and the unfree classes (workers, farmers, slaves). Rank basically depends on wealth and birth, but it is possible to evolve, notably through education.

Men belonging to the non-free classes can become free by practicing a skilled activity, as a scientist or musician.

In royal families, every member is eligible for royalty.

As a result, if one branch of the family monopolizes the throne for four generations, the other branches fear falling outside the famous circle and may consider killing their king.

Regicide, known as “fingal”, is the most important crime under Irish law. There’s no provision for compensation or revenge. That’s why we do everything we can to avoid it.

In practical terms, this means electing a successor even before the king’s death. This future heir then bears the title of “tanaise rig”. The “tuath” represents the tribe. There is no direct relationship between the two entities.

The public and private affairs of the “tuath” are settled at a periodic assembly, the “oenach”, presided over by the king. His only other role is to lead his people to war. He is not a judge and cannot promulgate laws, except in emergencies.

At the political level, the highest rank is that of“Taoiseach“.”He was the head of a group of aristocratic families. Today, this is the title held by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland. Until the 8th century A.D., there was no single king, so the island’s unity was only cultural. As a result, the “aes dana”, men of the arts (poets, historians and genealogists), played a key role.

Celts introduce Gaelic

Over and above the rules established by the Celts, this people is most famous for having introduced Irish Gaelic to Ireland.

The Gaelic language, also known as “Irish”, belongs to the Celtic language group, a branch of the Indo-European language family. It is related to Welsh, Breton, Cornish, Manx and Scottish Gaelic.

The origins of the Gaelic language can be traced back to the Celtic migrations in Ireland. It was the Celts who brought their language and culture with them, laying the roots of what was to become Irish Gaelic.

Over the centuries, this language developed and diversified, giving rise to the different forms of Gaelic we know today.

Celtic music

The introduction of Celtic music to Ireland by the Celts is a historical process that took place over several centuries. The Celts brought their musical traditions with them. Traditions that have gradually become part of Irish culture.

This music, transmitted mainly orally, was characterized by its use of various instruments such as the Celtic harp, the bodhrán (Irish drum) and the flute.

Celtic music in Ireland has evolved over time, blending with other influences and becoming an integral part of Irish cultural identity.

Oral tradition

The Celtic oral tradition in Ireland is a fundamental part of Celtic culture and heritage. This tradition involved the transmission of myths, legends, stories, poetry, laws and music from generation to generation through speech and song, rather than the written word.

In Ireland, bards and filidhs (poets and sages) were the guardians of this oral tradition. They recited epics, heroic legends and poems, often accompanied by music. These oral narratives were a vital means of preserving the history, values and knowledge of Celtic society, particularly before the introduction of writing. This tradition has played a crucial role in preserving the Gaelic language and Celtic culture over the centuries.