this was what fascinated me because, like most Irish school children I learned Brehon law as something that was around in the time of St Patrick, 5th century, but when I came to live here near the Burren and I saw the ruined remains of Cahermacnaghten law school and realised that this law school was not only functioning in the mid-sixteenth century, but also becoming an important repository of the ancient Brehon laws - this amazed me. It was said that even the English/Anglo Normans of the east of Ireland used Brehon law 'as and when it doth benefit them.'