A contemporary and Brehon perspective

Friday, 4th May – Sunday, 6th May 2018

Director: Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop

*THE LAW SOCIETY OF IRELAND HAS APPROVED 4.5 GENERAL CPD HOURS AND 1 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SKILLS HOUR FOR THIS CONFERENCE

Burren Law School 2018 - 25th Anniversary

An exploration of law in its political and social context, the fifth province theme provides a creative focus for discussions around legal theory, justice and governance issues.

The old Irish term for Province is Cúige, meaning 'a fifth'; but Ireland has four geographical provinces on this island - so where is the fifth?

Ancient legend tells us that Ireland was divided into four quarters and a 'middle' or 'Fifth' Province. Tara in Co. Meath was the political centre of Ireland and Uisneach, the place of this Fifth Province. Its role was that of 'a second centre' - a necessary balance. (The symbol for Uisneach is the kidneys, which is the balancing function in the body).

In President Mary Robinson’s inaugural speech in 1990 she equated the Fifth Province as ‘an emerging Ireland of tolerance and empathy’.

Over the weekend of this year’s 25th Anniversary of the Burren Law School participants will weave between the ancient and the contemporary worlds of our legal systems, engaging with presentations from speakers who will stimulate, challenge  and energise our thinking on their chosen subjects in a time of great uncertainty in today’s world. We can explore and ask questions to include whether The Citizen’s Assembly or The Policing Authority, to name but two recent initiatives, could be viewed as a 21st century Fifth Province.

Join us in the Uisneach that is Newtown Castle, Ballyvaughan in the pulsating heart of The Burren, when we will have discourse on 'a necessary balance' for 'an emerging Ireland of tolerance and empathy’.