In ancient Irish culture, a large public assembly or fair where people gathered for trading, competitions, and legal proceedings.
From Old Irish óenach, related to oen (one), suggesting a gathering where people came together as one community. The institution played a crucial role in pre-Christian and early Christian Irish society.
Ancient Irish aenachs were like mixture of county fair, court, and military draft all combined—kings announced judgments, competitors held games, and the entire social order got reinforced in one massive assembly that could last days.
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