Are we the Ireland of a thousand welcomes anymore? Is there the same grá for a stranger? In this modern world with its modern values is there a place for common courtesy and genuine hospitality?
Of course welcoming the stranger should be embedded deep in our DNA. In ancient Ireland hospitality was mandated by law. The Brehon Laws which served Ireland well for more than one thousand years made sure that hospitality was ingrained in the Irish psyche for countless generations.
Under Brehon Law, all households were obliged to provide some measure of oigidecht (hospitality) to travelers, even if they were unknown. This hospitality included food, drink, a bed, and entertainment.
To make sure the poorer sections of society were not over-burdened by weary travelers, local chieftains across the island set up highly-staffed bruideans (public houses).
A typical bruidean sat at a major crossroad. It had doors on all four sides with each being manned around the clock to insure that no one would pass by without receiving an invitation to enter, rest, and be refreshed. Torches lit the location........

© The Mayo News