Irish Cultural Society of San Antonio

Irish Cultural Society

of San Antonio Texas

MINUTES 21SEP03

IRISH CULTURAL SOCIETY MEETING - SEPTEMBER 21, 2003

President Kelley introduced Ryan Orsinger, the president of the Gaelic
Student Society at Trinity University. He is seeking speakers to conduct
forums on subjects of Irish interest. Contact him to help.

It was moved and seconded to dispense with the business meeting in order
to give over time to our guest speaker from Ireland, Dr. Donnchadh O'Corrain.
His expertise and website is on the Brehon Law which regulated Irish life
until it collapsed at the end of the sixteenth century with the Tudor attack
and Cromwell's "ethnic cleansing". Castles, churches, monasteries, and
manuscripts were destroyed to an extent not seen on the European continent.
Pagan law (laws of nature and moral conduct) was considered the Old
Testament of Ireland's laws. With typical Irish imagination, a legend was
created of one who was with Moses at the parting of the Red Sea! The
Brehon Law was a more sophisticated law than others of the time. There
was an "honor price" exacted for outraging one's countryman, which went
up on the scale from commoner to lord. Poets were considered professionals
because they influenced public opinion.
At the conclusion of Dr. O'Corrain's talk, the meeting was adjourned, and a
bountiful reception followed. The meeting was exceptionally well attended:
35 members and 28 guests.

Respectfully submitted, Peggy Hill, Secretary