26 



sonnes were challenged for three cowes Boroa, and three cowes 

 being taken awaie from them for the Boroa that fell due upon the 

 said land att that time, vlt. one cowe by Brien Mac Mahon O'Brien, 

 and two cowes by Donnogh Mac Mahon O'Brien, and the same 

 being for a long time unpaied. More due as morthgage upon the 

 third parte of a quarter from the sonnes of John Mac Roery, for 

 the two ounces that were in the hands and possession of Sida Mac 

 Vic Con, vlt. a stood mare and a young horse. 



VIII. 



Brehon's Decree.* — Ancient Translation. — No date. 



These be the allegations and challenges I have in the behalf of 

 Donagh Mac Seayn and Teig Mac Fynyne, against Cahall O'Co- 

 nor and his people, viz. That Cahall O'Conor, together with his 

 people, came forcibly to the land of the said Donnagh, and seised 



* This article is given from an ancient translation much defaced. Where the blanks occur 

 the original is worn away. The words within the brackets are supplied from the context.— Mu- 

 tilated however, as it is, it proves that the judgments of the Brehons were duly committed to 

 writing, and that in them they most judiciously inserted the words of the laws, on which they 

 founded their decisions. In addition to this fact, the subjoined fragment of another Brehon's 

 decree will shew that these judgments also included the witnesses names, and the testimony 

 which they gave. It is to be regretted that these instruments have not been handed down per- 

 fect ; as every particular connected with the administration of justice among the ancient Irish, 

 is valuable to the historian of the country. 



The following is the fragment alluded to " These be the witnesses that doe [affirm] for 



Mac Mahoun and his coheirs inheritance that belong unto them. — The prior of Killihanan — 

 Twelve priests of the Societie of Iniskatry, affirming that Teig Mor Mac Mahony gave Cnockna- 

 huama unto God and Sainct Seanan, the same being piece of Kilfinny — Also the undernamed 

 personnes of the chiefest of Corkavaskyn have affirmed that the sept of Teig Mor Mac Mahony 

 have successively enjoyed Kilfynny. — Mahon Mac Teig boy— The sonnes of Morough Moel — 

 Donnogh Mac Kennedy— Donnogh Mac Carroll— Teig Mac Thomas— Mora ny Brien."— These 

 translations were made in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. 



