Offaly was the birthplace of one of the world's earliest child protection laws

THIS Heritage Week, discover how Birr, Co. Offaly became the birthplace of one of the earliest child (and international humanitarian) protection laws - the fascinating Cáin Adomnáin written in 679 AD.

On Saturday next August 16^th, from 1.30-3pm, a Seen and Heard Panel Discussion: 'From Cáin Adomnáin to Today – Exploring the Evolution of Children’s Rights in Ireland' will take place at Birr Library, presented by The Museum of Childhood Ireland, Músaem Óige na hÉireann.

Cáin Adomnáin, also known as the Lex Innocentium (Law of Innocents), dates back to the Synod of Birr in 697 AD. The law gave protection to women, children, clerics and other non-arms-bearing people in time of strife and was the first such known law in the history of Western Europe. A copy of the book, illustrated by artist Caroline Conway, is on permanent display in Birr Library.

For this special discussion, a panel of historians and children’s rights advocates will trace the development of children’s rights from early Irish law to present day protections and future ambitions.

Free but booking required: https://museumofchildhood.ie/seen-and-heard/

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Chairs

Marie Baker served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland from December 2019 until her retirement in April 2024 . A University College Cork graduate (BA, MA, BCL), she was called to the Bar in 1984 and made senior counsel in 2004. She practiced on the Cork and Munster circuits in areas including land and commercial law, family law, and chancery. After appointment to the High Court in 2014, she worked on the non-jury and insolvency side. She was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2018 and the Supreme Court in 2019. She was one of the panel of Supreme Court judges who decided the important case on child and parental constitutional rights in Re JJ 2021 IESC 1. Marie currently serves as chair of the Electoral Commission.

Eoin Murphy is an 18 year old human rights activist from Foxford, County Mayo. He is passionate about equality, inclusion, and the protection of human rights, with a strong focus on raising youth voices in decision making. Eoin has represented young people locally, nationally, and internationally from initiatives in Mayo to high-level engagements with the Council of Europe in Budapest, Strasbourg, and Brussels. His work focuses on empowering young people and promoting meaningful youth participation in civic and political life. Eoin continues to advocate for a fairer, more inclusive society.

Panel

Dr James W. Houlihan a retired solicitor based in Birr, County Offaly, who devoted forty five years to legal practice. After retirement, he pursued advanced academic study at University College Dublin, earning both an MA and PhD. His doctoral research culminated in the critically acclaimed book Adomnán’s Lex Innocentium and the Laws of War (Four Courts Press, 2020), a detailed exploration of Cáin Adomnáin. Combining his legal expertise with rigorous historical scholarship, Houlihan situates this early medieval Irish code within the broader evolution of children’s rights.

Donnah Sibanda Vuma who is Migrant Victims Support Project Coordinator with Doras, which is a Limerick based NGO working to support and promote the rights of migrants in Ireland. Donnah is a renowned activist, public speaker, and advocate for human rights, often drawing on her personal experiences of the direct provision system to advocate for the rights of migrants. Donnah holds a Joint Honours BA in Politics and International Relations with Sociology from the University of Limerick and is currently studying towards an MS in Peace and Development Studies.

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Eamonn Carroll, a solicitor whose expertise is in the areas of family law and child advocacy. He has practised as a family lawyer for over 30 years. He played a leading role in establishing Collaborative Practice for family law in Ireland and has additionally practised as a family mediator for the past 10 years. His advocacy and advice roles include representation of children in our child care courts with Guardians ad litem or as the solicitor appointed for the child.

Mairéad McDevitt, Dublin based Youth & Community worker and youth migrant rights consultant. Mairéad previously worked with the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland and organised Young, Paperless and Powerful, a creative youth project for undocumented young people in Ireland, she worked on family reunification, and a wide range of issues affecting migrant workers and their families. Mairéad’s passion and concern is to advocate for children and young people impacted by immigration policies in the place they call home. She is an anti-racist and value-led practitioner.

For queries projects@museumofchildhoodireland.ie .