Chief Ollam of Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Ollamh Érenn or Chief Ollam of Ireland was a professional title of Gaelic Ireland
.
or bard
of literature
and history
. Each chief or tuath had its own ollam. The head ollam of a province such as Ulster
would have been the head of all the ollams in that province, and would have been a social equal of the provincial king.
Over all the provincial ollams was the Ard-Ollamh (Rí-Ollam, Rí-Eigeas, Príméces) who held the official post of Chief-Ollamh of Ireland or "Ollamh Érenn".
A modern equivalent in government would be a Minister for Education & Culture combined with the post of Poet Laureate
.
and he had his own palace and a large retinue of about thirty ollamhs together with their servants. The sumptuary laws allowed him to wear six colours in his clothes, the same as the king. The ollamh had a gold bell-branch held above him, the anruth had a silver bell-branch and the other poets had a bronze bell-branch. The post was partly hereditary, as Uraicecht na Ríar ("The Primer of the Stipulations", ed. Liam Breatnach, DIAS 1987) states that a poet can only attain ollamh-rank, if he stems from a family of poets (that is, if his father and grandfather had been poets). Originally the Ollamh was appointed by the king but by the 6th century A.D. it had become an elected post which was voted for by the other ollamhs.
Another old tale called "Tromdámh Guaire" ("The Heavy Company of Guaire")) or "Imtheacht na Tromdhaimhe" ("The Proceedings of the Great Bardic Institution")) gives a vivid description of the Chief Ollam with his entourage visiting the Irish chiefs.
's History of Ireland states that St.Columba
or Columcille interceded on their behalf as follows:
"'I do not wish to keep the filés,’ said the king, ‘so unjust are their demands and so numerous are they. For there are usually thirty in the train of an ollamh, and fifteen in that of an anroth, and so on for the other grades of the filé down to the lowest.’ Each of them used to have a separate train of attendants according to his degree, so that nearly the third of the men of Ireland followed the bardic profession. Columcille said to the king that it was right to set aside many of the filés, as they were so numerous. But he advised him to maintain a filé as his own chief ollamh after the example of the kings who went before him, and that each provincial king should have an ollamh, and, moreover, that each lord of a cantred or district in Ireland should have an ollamh, and Columcille proposed this plan and Aodh assented to it; From this regulation, which was made by Aodh, son of Ainmire, and Columcille, it followed that the king of Ireland and every provincial king and every lord of a cantred had a special ollamh, and that each of these ollamhs had free land from his own lord, and, moreover, the lands and worldly possessions of each of these ollamhs enjoyed general exemption and sanctuary from the men of Ireland. It was also ordained that a common estate should be set apart for the ollamhs where they could give public instruction after the manner of a University, such as Raith Cheannait and Masruidhe Mhuighe Sleacht, in Breithfne, where they gave free instruction in the sciences to the men of Ireland, as many as desired to become learned in seanchus and in the other sciences that were in vogue in Ireland at that time. The ardollamh of Ireland at that time was Eochaidh Eigeas, son of Oilill, son of Earc, and it was he who was called Dallan Forgaill, and he sent out ollamhs and set them over the provinces of Ireland, namely, Aodh Eigeas over the district of Breagh and over Meath, Urmhaol chief eigeas over the two provinces of Munster, Sanchan, son of Cuairfheartach, over the province of Connaught, and Fear Firb, son of Muireadhach, son of Mongan, in the ollamhship of Ulster; and, moreover, an ollamh in every cantred in Ireland under these high ollamhs, and they were to have free land from their territorial chiefs, as well as sanctuary, as we have said; and each of them was to get certain rewards for their poems and compositions."
Gaelic Ireland
Gaelic Ireland is the name given to the period when a Gaelic political order existed in Ireland. The order continued to exist after the arrival of the Anglo-Normans until about 1607 AD...
.
Background
An ollam (literally 'most great') was a poetPoet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
or bard
Bard
In medieval Gaelic and British culture a bard was a professional poet, employed by a patron, such as a monarch or nobleman, to commemorate the patron's ancestors and to praise the patron's own activities.Originally a specific class of poet, contrasting with another class known as fili in Ireland...
of literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
and history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
. Each chief or tuath had its own ollam. The head ollam of a province such as Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
would have been the head of all the ollams in that province, and would have been a social equal of the provincial king.
Over all the provincial ollams was the Ard-Ollamh (Rí-Ollam, Rí-Eigeas, Príméces) who held the official post of Chief-Ollamh of Ireland or "Ollamh Érenn".
A modern equivalent in government would be a Minister for Education & Culture combined with the post of Poet Laureate
Poet Laureate
A poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government and is often expected to compose poems for state occasions and other government events...
.
Social status
His social status was equal to the High King of IrelandHigh King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
and he had his own palace and a large retinue of about thirty ollamhs together with their servants. The sumptuary laws allowed him to wear six colours in his clothes, the same as the king. The ollamh had a gold bell-branch held above him, the anruth had a silver bell-branch and the other poets had a bronze bell-branch. The post was partly hereditary, as Uraicecht na Ríar ("The Primer of the Stipulations", ed. Liam Breatnach, DIAS 1987) states that a poet can only attain ollamh-rank, if he stems from a family of poets (that is, if his father and grandfather had been poets). Originally the Ollamh was appointed by the king but by the 6th century A.D. it had become an elected post which was voted for by the other ollamhs.
In Gaelic-Irish literature
An old Irish tale "Immacallam in Dá Thuarad" ("The Colloquy of the Two Sages") gives an idea of the type of lofty speech of the chief ollamh.Another old tale called "Tromdámh Guaire" ("The Heavy Company of Guaire")) or "Imtheacht na Tromdhaimhe" ("The Proceedings of the Great Bardic Institution")) gives a vivid description of the Chief Ollam with his entourage visiting the Irish chiefs.
Duties and fees
The Irish chiefs and kings were supposed to give food and gifts to these wandering bands of ollamhs which proved a great burden to them. If they refused they were satirised. The Synod or Convention of Drumceat in 584 A.D. was called to pass new laws to keep control of the ollams. Geoffrey KeatingGeoffrey Keating
Seathrún Céitinn, known in English as Geoffrey Keating, was a 17th century Irish Roman Catholic priest, poet and historian. He was born in County Tipperary c. 1569, and died c. 1644...
's History of Ireland states that St.Columba
Columba
Saint Columba —also known as Colum Cille , Colm Cille , Calum Cille and Kolban or Kolbjørn —was a Gaelic Irish missionary monk who propagated Christianity among the Picts during the Early Medieval Period...
or Columcille interceded on their behalf as follows:
"'I do not wish to keep the filés,’ said the king, ‘so unjust are their demands and so numerous are they. For there are usually thirty in the train of an ollamh, and fifteen in that of an anroth, and so on for the other grades of the filé down to the lowest.’ Each of them used to have a separate train of attendants according to his degree, so that nearly the third of the men of Ireland followed the bardic profession. Columcille said to the king that it was right to set aside many of the filés, as they were so numerous. But he advised him to maintain a filé as his own chief ollamh after the example of the kings who went before him, and that each provincial king should have an ollamh, and, moreover, that each lord of a cantred or district in Ireland should have an ollamh, and Columcille proposed this plan and Aodh assented to it; From this regulation, which was made by Aodh, son of Ainmire, and Columcille, it followed that the king of Ireland and every provincial king and every lord of a cantred had a special ollamh, and that each of these ollamhs had free land from his own lord, and, moreover, the lands and worldly possessions of each of these ollamhs enjoyed general exemption and sanctuary from the men of Ireland. It was also ordained that a common estate should be set apart for the ollamhs where they could give public instruction after the manner of a University, such as Raith Cheannait and Masruidhe Mhuighe Sleacht, in Breithfne, where they gave free instruction in the sciences to the men of Ireland, as many as desired to become learned in seanchus and in the other sciences that were in vogue in Ireland at that time. The ardollamh of Ireland at that time was Eochaidh Eigeas, son of Oilill, son of Earc, and it was he who was called Dallan Forgaill, and he sent out ollamhs and set them over the provinces of Ireland, namely, Aodh Eigeas over the district of Breagh and over Meath, Urmhaol chief eigeas over the two provinces of Munster, Sanchan, son of Cuairfheartach, over the province of Connaught, and Fear Firb, son of Muireadhach, son of Mongan, in the ollamhship of Ulster; and, moreover, an ollamh in every cantred in Ireland under these high ollamhs, and they were to have free land from their territorial chiefs, as well as sanctuary, as we have said; and each of them was to get certain rewards for their poems and compositions."
Pre-historic era
- Amergin GlúingelAmergin GlúingelAmergin Glúingel or Glúnmar is a druid, bard and judge for the Milesians in the Irish Mythological Cycle. He was appointed Chief Ollam of Ireland by his two brothers the kings of Ireland...
- LughLughLug or Lugh is an Irish deity represented in mythological texts as a hero and High King of the distant past. He is known by the epithets Lámhfhada , for his skill with a spear or sling, Ildánach , Samhildánach , Lonnbeimnech and Macnia , and by the...
Lámhfhada - Adna mac UthidirAdna mac UthidirAdna mac Uthidir, Irish poet, fl. 1st-century AD.Adna mac Uthidir held the post of Chief Ollam of Ireland during the reign of King Conchobar mac Nessa. He lived c. 1 AD. Edward O'Reilly mentions him in his Irish Writers, IX sq; d. anno A.M. 3950. Fragments of laws attributed to Adna are to be found...
, c.1st century A.D.
Early Medieval poets
- Torna ÉicesTorna ÉicesTorna, nicknamed Éices or Éces , was a legendary Irish poet of the 5th century, noted as "the last great bard of Pagan Ireland." He is not to be confused with Torna Éigeas, the 17th-century bard who figures in the Contention of the Bards.He was the foster-father of the Irish kings Corc and Niall of...
, fl. c. 400 - Dubhthach moccu LughairDubhthach moccu LughairDubthach maccu Lugair is a legendary Irish poet and lawyer who supposedly lived at the time of St Patrick's mission in Ireland and in the reign of Lóegaire mac Néill, high-king of Ireland. In contrast to the king and his druids, he is said to have readily accepted the new religion...
, c. 432 - Dallán ForgaillDallan ForgaillSaint Dallán Forgaill —also Dallán Forchella; Dallán of Cluain Dalláin; born Eochaid Forchella—was an early Christian Irish poet best known as the writer of the Amra Choluim Chille and the early Irish poem Rop tú mo baile, the basis of the modern English hymn Be Thou My Vision.-Personal...
, died 598 - Senchán TorpéistSenchán TorpéistSenchán Torpéist, Gaelic-Irish poet of Ireland, -Background:Seanchan Torpest was the Chief Poet of Connacht in 598 AD when he succeeded Dallán Forgaill as Chief Ollam of Ireland...
, Chief Ollamh from 598 A.D. to 647 - Máel Muire OthainMáel Muire Othain-Life:Máel Muire Othain held the post of Chief Ollam of Ireland. He died in 887 A.D. His nickname ‘Othna’, referred to him being a member of the monastery of Othain at Fahan, County Donegal. He was amongst the early poets and historians who produced various parts of Lebor Gabála Érenn.Edward...
, died 887 - Flann mac LonáinFlann mac Lonáin-Background and career:Flann mac Lonáin was a famed and at times controversial poet. He was the Chief Ollam of Ireland He seems to have being born in the east Clare/west Tipperary region...
, 896 - Torpaid mac TaicthechTorpaid mac TaicthechTorpaid mac Taicthech was an Irish poet.Torpaid held the post of Chief Ollam of Ireland.The Genealogies from Rawlinson B 502 state he belonged to the Uí Daigre clan- “¶1638] Torpaid m. Taicthich m. Échtgusa m. Cáechthuile m. Aimre m. Doaltair m. Fínáin m. Áedloga m. Doborgin m. Finnchon m....
, died 913 - Óengus mac ÓengusaÓengus mac ÓengusaÓengus mac Óengusa , Irish poet, died 930.Óengus mac Óengusa held the post of Chief Ollam of Ireland.His obit is given in the Annals of the Four Masters as follows- “M930.9 Aenghus, son of Anghus, chief poet of Ireland, died.”...
, died 930 - Bard BoinneBard BoinneBard Boinne, Irish poet, died 931.Bard Boinne was Chief Ollam of Ireland. His obit is given in the Annals of the Four Masters as follows- “M931.13Bard Boinne, chief poet of Ireland, was slain by the Ui-Cormaic-Cobha.”...
, died 931 - Uallach ingen MuinecháinUallach ingen MuinecháinUallach ingen Muinechain, Irish poet and Chief Ollam of Ireland, died 934.Uallach was of the Corca Dhuibhne of County Kerry, described as a banfhile Herend/woman-poet of Ireland in her obituary in the Annals of Innisfallen....
, died 934 - Cormacan EigeasCormacan EigeasCormacan Eigeas was an Irish poet.Cormacan Eigeas mac Maelbrighdhe was Chief Ollam of Ireland. Eigeas denoted 'the Learned'. He was chief poet to Muirchertach mac Néill, King of Ulster. He wrote a poem celebrating the king's tour of Ireland in 941/42, amongst others. Edward O'Reilly gives a full...
, died 946 - Cinaedh Ua hArtagain, died 975
- Eochaidh Ua FloinnEochaidh Ua FloinnEochaidh Ua Floinn was an Irish poet who held the post of Chief Ollam of Ireland. He died in 984 AD.His poems are preserved in the Book of Lecan, Lebor Gabála Érenn and other manuscripts and include poems on the different invasions of Ireland. Edward O'Reilly gives a full account of these in his...
, died 984 - Urard Mac CoiseUrard Mac CoiseUrard Mac Coise was an Irish poet.Urard Mac Coise was Chief Ollam of Ireland. He was the author of poems on the kings of Connacht, amongst others. Edward O'Reilly gives a full account of these in his 'Irish Writers', XCI sq.; d...
, died 990
High Medieval era
- Clothna mac AenghusaClothna mac AenghusaClothna mac Aenghusa, Irish poet, died 1008.Clothna held the post of Chief Ollam of Ireland. Some of his poems are held in the Library of Trinity College Dublin....
, died 1008 - Muircheartach mac Cu Ceartach Mac LiagMuircheartach mac Cu Ceartach Mac LiagMuircheartach mac Con Ceartaich Mac Liag, aka Muircheartach Beag, Irish poet, died 1015.MacLiag was Chief Ollam of Ireland. He was a native of South Connacht and died in 1015. He was the chief poet and secretary of King Brian Boru...
, died 1015 - Cúán úa LothcháinCúán úa LothcháinCúán úa Lothcháin was an Irish poet from Tethba, County Meath. He was the Chief Ollam of Ireland and died in 1024.Born in the region of Tethba - part of the kingdom of Mide - Cúán acted as bard and propangadist for High King Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill .The Annals of Ulster give his obit as-...
, died 1024 - Cú Mara mac Mac LiacCú Mara mac Mac LiacCú Mara mac Mac Liac was an Irish poet who held the post of Chief Ollam of Ireland.His obit is given in the Annals of the Four Masters as follows- "M1030.17 Cumara, son of Macliag, chief poet of Ireland, died." His obit is given in the Annals of Ulster as follows- "U1030.8 Cú Mara son of Mac...
, died 1030 - Mac Beathaidh mac AinmireMac Beathaidh mac AinmireMac Beathaidh mac Ainmire, Irish poet and Chief Ollam of Ireland, died in 1041.His obit is given in the Annals of the Four Masters as follows- “M1041.4 Mac Beathaidh, son of Ainmire, chief poet of Ard-Macha, and of Ireland in general, died.”...
, died 1041 - Ceaunfaeladh ua CuillCeaunfaeladh ua CuillCeaunfaeladh ua Cuill was an Irish poet who held the post of Chief Ollam of Ireland. He belonged to the family of O’Cuill who were hereditary poets in Munster. Only the Annals of Inisfallen term him Chief Ollam of Ireland. The other annals just describe him as Chief Poet of Munster but it was...
, died 1048 - Flaithem Mac Mael GaimridFlaithem Mac Mael GaimridFlaithem Mac Mael Gaimrid, Irish poet, died 1058.Flaithem Mac Mael Gaimrid was Chief Ollam of Ireland. The Annals of Inisfallen give his obit as follows- "AI1058.8 Flaithem son of Mael Gaimrid, chief poet of Ireland, rested in Christ in Ard Ferta Brénainn."...
, died 1058 - Cellach húa RúanadaCellach húa RúanadaCellach húa Rúanada, Irish poet, died 1079.Cellachy held the post of Chief Ollam of Ireland and died in 1079. His obit is given in the Annals of the Four Masters as follows- "M1079.4 Ceallach Ua Ruanadha, chief poet of Ireland in his time, died."...
, died 1079 - Mael Isa ua MáilgiricMael Isa ua MáilgiricMael Isa ua Máilgiric, Irish poet, died 1088.Mael Isa ua Máilgiric who held the post of Chief Ollam of Ireland and died at Clonmacnoise in 1088. His obit is given in the Annals of the Four Masters as follows- "M1088.4 Maelisa Ua Maelgiric, chief poet and chief Ollamh, died."-External links:*...
, died 1088 - Cú Collchaille Ua BaígilláinCú Collchaille Ua BaígilláinCú Collchaille Ua Baígilláin was an Irish poet.Ua Baigheallain who held the post of Chief Ollam of Ireland and died in 1119 AD. His obit is given in the Annals of the Four Masters as follows- "M1119.10 Cucollchoille Ua Baigheallain, chief ollamh of Ireland in poetry, a man distinguished for...
, died 1119 - Cú Connacht Ua Dálaigh, died 1139
- Gillamaire Ua ConalltaGillamaire Ua ConalltaGillamaire Dall Ua Conallta, Irish poet and Chief Ollam of Ireland, died 1166.-biography:His obit is given in the Annals of the Four Masters as follows- "M1166.18 The blind Ua Conallta, i.e. Gillamaire, royal poet of Ireland, died; he was of the tribe of Ui-Briuin."-External links:*...
, died 1166 - Tadhg Ua Dálaigh, died 1181
- Máel Íosa Ua Dálaigh, died 1185
Late Medieval poets
- Giolla Ernain Ó MartainGiolla Ernain Ó MartainGiolla Ernain Ó Martain, Irish poet and Chief Ollam of Ireland, died 1218.-Overview:The most detailed reference to O Martain occurs in the Annals of Loch Cé, which gives his obituary under the year 1218: "Gilla-Ernain O'Martain, chief poet of Erinn, and professor of many arts, after spending his...
, died 1218 - Gofraidh Fionn Ó DálaighGofraidh Fionn Ó DálaighGofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh was an Irish poet and Chief Ollam of Ireland.-Biography:Gofraidh Fionn was a member of the Ó Dálaigh family of poets. He is known for his poem, Filidh Éireann go haointeach, which commemorates An Nollaig na Garma...
, died 1387 - Cearbhall mac Lochlainn Ó DálaighCearbhall mac Lochlainn Ó DálaighCearbhall mac Lochlainn Ó Dálaigh, Irish poet, died 1404.Described as Chief Ollam of Ireland in poetry, Cearbhall died in Corcomroe in 1405...
, died 1405 - Sean mac Fergail Óicc Ó hUiccinn, died 1490