The Castle
Fulfill all 12 hours of your annual continuing legal education requirements in a medieval castle.
For the first time in 375 years, Redwood Castle in Co. Tipperary, Ireland returns to its ancient roots as a law school for this special lecture series.
Redwood Castle is the oldest occupied castle in Ireland where the present owners are Kinfolk of the owners of more than 600 years ago.
It was built by Normans (the De Cogans) about 1210 and occupied by them until 1350. In 1350 it came into the hands of the local rulers, the O’Kennedys, who installed the Egans, the leading Irish Family of Brehons – Lawyers and Professors. The Egans built the castle upward, installing a few more floors to the edifice.
In addition to Redwood Castle, at Ballymacegan in Ormond (now Tipperary), the Egans ran law schools at Park and Duniry in County Galway. Most surviving legal manuscripts as well as some important non-legal manuscripts were produced at the MacEgan schools. The associated link to excerpts and a map from Fergus Kelly’s “A Guide to Early Irish Law” and the link to excerpts from Conor McHale’s “The Bardic Families of Ireland” illustrate the prominence of the Egans as leading Brehon lawyers during that time.
Redwood enjoyed a robust period for more than 300 years until Oliver Cromwell’s forces showed up in Ireland in or around 1649. As with many other Irish castles, Cromwell’s forces set fire to the building and destroyed the wooden floors and roof. However, the stone barrel-vaulted arch ceiling over the third floor survived as did the castle’s stone walls. The Redwood Lectures will be delivered under that vaulted ceiling.
Redwood sat in ruin for 350 years until Michael J. Egan, a lawyer from County Mayo, in 1972 bought the building, ironically from the O’Kennedys, and restored it, including the Main Hall which sits above the vaulted ceiling.
Now, 375 years after Cromwell caused a temporary stop to the tradition, we are thrilled to return to Redwood and convene these lectures featuring some of the foremost scholars in the field of ancient Irish law.
We are confident that the course content delivered in this historic place will be an edifying and memorable experience for all those who study the history of law and its connection to the present.
The Craic
Bunratty Castle
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher
Located in County Clare along the Shannon River, Bunratty Castle was built in 1425 and has been beautifully restored. With interiors showcasing 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and artifacts, the castle offers a fascinating glimpse into Ireland's history and heritage.
Step outside the castle proper and immerse yourself in 19th century Irish life at the Bunratty Folk Park, located on the castle grounds. This living museum allows visitors to walk through traditional thatched cottages, meet costumed characters, and experience the charm of rural Ireland.
Join us for a medieval banquet held in the castle's Great Hall, where traditional music and storytelling punctuate a feast fit for royalty.
The Redwood Lectures has arranged 50 seats at the 8:30pm banquet on the evening of Tuesday, May 13, 2025. These seats are made available at a special rate of €71.55 per person. As the number of participants in the Redwood Lectures is limited to 30, this leaves us with plenty of room for your travel companions to join us at the feast.
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher
Check back for more information soon!