Cearas points out two excellent modern sources refering to the role of women in Celtic society. Miranda Aldhouse Greene (I believe she got married since her last book was published) is an excellent source on Celtic history, as is Fergus Kelly.

Another good source is the good Sir Barrington Windsor Cunliffe (Barry Cunliffe) of Oxford University. While speaking of the classical sources mentioned earlier, he says, "Once more the literary references are likely to be ill-observed and misleading, content simply to convey an impression of the 'barbarian'" (World of the Celts, 109).

He goes on to describe the situation on the continent as well. "In Gaul, females had legal rights in marriage. A joint account was kept of the marriage wealth, composed of the bride's dowry, an equal sum contributed by the husband, and interest accruing. Whoever survived the marriage inherited the total" (ibid).

It kind of sounds like an excellent idea that people should follow today. Much better than a pre-nuptual aggreement.