Ollamh Érenn

Chief poet or bard of Gaelic Ireland

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The Ollamh Érenn (Old Irish: [ˈol͈aṽ ˈeːrʲen͈]) or Chief Ollam of Ireland was a professional title of Gaelic Ireland.

## Background

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An ollam (literally 'most great') was a poet 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.

Overall 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".

Generally within a Gaelic region or Kingdom, one particular Túath (the most powerful one), would provide an Ard-Ollamh and Overking (Ruiri) for the entire region. An example is in Ulaid, overall power was hotly contested and at times swapped between the ruling territory rival dynasties or Sept of the Dál Fiatach and Dál nAraidi.

### The Poetic Courts

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According to Daniel Corkery, in 18th century Munster, a custom similar to the Welsh Eisteddfod continued long after the destruction of the Irish clan system. In what was also both mimicry and satire of the English-dominated legal and court system, the Ollamh Érenn of a district would preside over sessions of a Cúirt, or Poetic Court. A Munster Cúirt would begin with "bailiffs" delivering often humorously worded "warrants" which summoned local Irish-language poets to a Bardic competition with the Ollamh acting as the "judge". In many cases, two Irish-language poets at the Cúirt would engage in Flyting; a mixture of debate poetry and the improvised trading of insults in verse. Also according to Corkery, much of the serious, improvised, and comic poetry in the Irish-language composed for sessions of the Munster Poetic Courts was written down by the Court "Recorders" and still survives.[1] At the beginning of his term, the Chief Poet of a district, similarly to an Irish clan chief, would receive a Staff of Office (Irish: Bata na Bachaille), which would later be handed down to his successor. This tradition continued at least until 1792.[2]

## Social status

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The social status of the Ard-Ollamh was equal to the High King of Ireland. 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 AD, it had become an elected post which was voted for by the other ollamhs.

## In Gaelic-Irish literature

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An old Irish tale "Immacallam in dá Thuarad" ("The Colloquy of the Two Sages")[3] gives an idea of the type of lofty speech of the chief ollamh.

Another old tale called "Tromdámh Guaire" ("The Heavy Company of Guaire")[4] or "Imtheacht na Tromdhaimhe" ("The Proceedings of the Great Bardic Institution")[5] gives a vivid description of the Chief Ollam with his entourage visiting the Irish clan chiefs.

In Lebor Gabala Erenn, an Ollamh is mentioned, named Ollamh Fodla. It relates "Ollamh Fodla, fierce in valour, Marked out the Scholar's Rampart, The first mighty king with grace, Who convened the Festival of Tara. Fifty years, it was tuneful fame, was he in the High Kingship over Ireland so that from him, with lucky freedom, Ulaidh received its name. He died a natural death within its capital."[6]

## Duties and fees

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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 AD was called to pass new laws to keep control of the ollams. Geoffrey Keating'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 Dallán 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."

## List of Chief Ollamhs

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### Prehistoric era

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* Amergin Glúingel
* Lugh Lámhfhada
* Adna mac Uthidir, c. 1st century A.D.

### Early Medieval poets

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* Torna Éices, fl. c. 400
* Dubhthach moccu Lughair, c. 432
* Dallán Forgaill, Chief Ollamh from c.590 to c.640
* Senchán Torpéist, Chief Ollamh from c.640 to c.649
* Máel Muire Othain, died 887
* Flann mac Lonáin, 896
* Torpaid mac Taicthech, died 913
* Óengus mac Óengusa, died 930
* Bard Boinne, died 931
* Uallach ingen Muinecháin, died 934
* Cormacan Eigeas, died 946
* Cinaedh Ua hArtagain, died 975
* Eochaidh Ua Floinn, died 984
* Urard Mac Coise, died 990

### High Medieval era

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* Clothna mac Aenghusa, died 1008
* Muircheartach mac Cu Ceartach Mac Liag, died 1015
* Cúán úa Lothcháin, died 1024
* Cú Mara mac Mac Liac, died 1030
* Mac Beathaidh mac Ainmire, died 1041
* Ceaunfaeladh ua Cuill, died 1048
* Flaithem Mac Mael Gaimrid, died 1058
* Cellach húa Rúanada, died 1079
* Mael Isa ua Máilgiric, died 1088
* Cú Collchaille Ua Baígilláin, died 1119
* Cú Connacht Ua Dálaigh, died 1139
* Gillamaire Ua Conallta, died 1166
* Tadhg Ua Dálaigh, died 1181
* Máel Íosa Ua Dálaigh, died 1185

### Late Medieval poets

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* Giolla Ernain Ó Martain, died 1218
* Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh, died 1387
* Cearbhall mac Lochlainn Ó Dálaigh, died 1405
* Sean mac Fergail Óicc Ó hUiccinn, died 1490
* Paidin Ó Maol Chonaire, died 1506
* Seán mac Torna Ó Maol Chonaire, fl. mid-16th century.

## References

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1. ^ Daniel Corkery (1926), The Hidden Ireland: A Study of Gaelic Munster in the Eighteenth Century, pages 95–125.
2. ^ Daniel Corkery (1926), The Hidden Ireland: A Study of Gaelic Munster in the Eighteenth Century, page 270.
3. ^ "BlueDomino". danann.org. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
4. ^ "Tromdámh Guaire". ucc.ie. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
5. ^ Connellan, T. (1860). The Proceedings of the Great Bardic Institution. O'Daly. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
6. ^ Irish Manuscripts Commission; Duald Mac Firbis (1932). Genealogical tracts, p.6. Stationery Office. Retrieved 28 November 2012.

## External links

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* Saint Dallán Forgaill (c.560 -c.640), alias Eochaid Éices

* v
* t
* e

Irish poetry

Topics|

* Irish poetry
* Aisling
* Dán Díreach
* Metrical Dindshenchas
* Irish syllabic poetry
* Kildare Poems
* Filí
* Chief Ollam of Ireland
* Irish bardic poetry
* Contention of the bards
* Irish Literary Revival
* Weaver Poets
* An Gúm
* Táin Bó Cúailnge

Poets|

| Bardic|

* Mael Ísu Ua Brolcháin
* Muircheartach Ó Cobhthaigh
* Gilla Mo Dutu Úa Caiside
* Baothghalach Mór Mac Aodhagáin
* Giolla Brighde Mac Con Midhe
* Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh
* Flann mac Lonáin
* Donnchadh Mór Ó Dálaigh
* Lochlann Óg Ó Dálaigh
* Fear Flatha Ó Gnímh
* Mathghamhain Ó hIfearnáin
* Cormac Mac Con Midhe
* Eoghan Carrach Ó Siadhail
* Fear Feasa Ó'n Cháinte
* Tadhg Olltach Ó an Cháinte
* Eochaidh Ó hÉoghusa
* Proinsias Ó Doibhlin
* Tarlach Rua Mac Dónaill
* Gilla Cómáin mac Gilla Samthainde
* Tadhg Dall Ó hÚigínn
* Niníne Éces
* Colmán of Cloyne
* Cináed ua hArtacáin
* Muireadhach Albanach Ó Dálaigh
* Cearbhall Óg Ó Dálaigh
* Máeleoin Bódur Ó Maolconaire
* Diarmaid Mac an Bhaird
* Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh
* Dallán Forgaill
* Óengus of Tallaght
* Sedulius Scottus
* Saint Dungal
* Maol Sheachluinn na n-Uirsgéal Ó hÚigínn

|

15th/16th century|

* Tomás Ó Cobhthaigh

17th century|

* Dáibhí Ó Bruadair
* Piaras Feiritéar
* Donnchadh Mac an Caoilfhiaclaigh
* Aogán Ó Rathaille
* Séafraidh Ó Donnchadha an Ghleanna

18th century|

* Aogán Ó Rathaille
* Brian Merriman
* Jonathan Swift
* Oliver Goldsmith

19th century|

* Tomás Rua Ó Súilleabháin
* Thomas Moore
* Charles Gavan Duffy
* James Clarence Mangan
* Samuel Ferguson
* William Allingham
* Douglas Hyde
* James Henry
* Antoine Ó Raifteiri
* Aeneas Coffey
* Robert Dwyer Joyce
* Thomas Davis
* Speranza
* Katharine Tynan
* Edward Walsh
* Oscar Wilde

20th century|

* James Joyce
* Patrick Pearse
* Joseph Plunkett
* Thomas MacDonagh
* Francis Ledwidge
* Padraic Colum
* F. R. Higgins
* Austin Clarke
* Samuel Beckett
* Brian Coffey
* Denis Devlin
* Thomas MacGreevy
* Blanaid Salkeld
* Mary Devenport O'Neill
* Patrick Kavanagh
* John Hewitt
* Louis MacNeice
* Máirtín Ó Direáin
* Seán Ó Ríordáin
* Máire Mhac an tSaoi
* Michael Hartnett
* Gabriel Rosenstock
* Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill
* Micheál Mac Liammóir
* Robert Greacen
* Roy McFadden
* Padraic Fiacc
* John Montague
* Michael Longley
* Derek Mahon
* Seamus Heaney
* Paul Muldoon
* Thomas Kinsella
* Michael Smith
* Trevor Joyce
* Geoffrey Squires
* Augustus Young
* Randolph Healy
* John Jordan
* Paul Durcan
* Basil Payne
* Eoghan Ó Tuairisc
* Patrick Galvin
* Cathal Ó Searcaigh
* Bobby Sands
* Nora Tynan O'Mahony
* Rita Ann Higgins
* Eavan Boland
* Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin
* Medbh McGuckian
* Paula Meehan
* Dennis O'Driscoll
* Seán Dunne
* Anthony Cronin
* W. F. Marshall
* W. B. Yeats

21st century|

* Thomas McCarthy
* John Ennis
* Pat Boran
* Mairéad Byrne
* Ciarán Carson
* Patrick Chapman
* Harry Clifton
* Tony Curtis
* Pádraig J. Daly
* Gerald Dawe
* Greg Delanty
* Leontia Flynn
* Eamon Grennan
* Vona Groarke
* Seamus Heaney
* Pat Ingoldsby
* Trevor Joyce
* Brendan Kennelly
* Hugh McFadden
* Sinéad Morrissey
* Gerry Murphy
* Bernard O'Donoghue
* Conor O'Callaghan
* Caitriona O'Reilly
* Justin Quinn
* Maurice Riordan
* Maurice Scully
* William Wall
* Catherine Walsh

Poems|

| Anthologies|

* Faber Book of Irish Verse

|

Epics|

* The Wanderings of Oisin

Bardic|

* Le dís cuirthear clú Laighean
* Is acher in gaíth in-nocht...
* Is trúag in ces i mbiam
* Sen dollotar Ulaid ...
* An Díbirt go Connachta
* Foraire Uladh ar Aodh
* A theachtaire tig ón Róimh
* An sluagh sidhe so i nEamhuin?
* Cóir Connacht ar chath Laighean
* Dia libh a laochruidh Gaoidhiol
* Pangur Bán
* Liamuin
* Buile Shuibhne
* The Prophecy of Berchán
* Bean Torrach, fa Tuar Broide
* Tuireamh na hÉireann

18th century|

* The Traveller
* Suantraí dá Mhac Tabhartha
* Mná na hÉireann

19th century|

* Tone's Grave
* The Wind That Shakes the Barley

Contemporary|

* Hi Uncle Sam
* Meeting The British
* Horse Latitudes
* Sweeney Astray
* Prayer Before Birth
* D-Day

Organisations|

* Poetry Ireland
* Seamus Heaney Centre

Publishers|

* Dedalus Press
* Dolmen Press
* Gallery Press
* HardPressed Poetry
* Lapwing Publications
* Salmon Poetry
* SurVision
* Cork University Press (general)

Publications|

* Cyphers
* The Dublin Magazine (defunct)
* Icarus (magazine)
* The Lace Curtain (defunct)
* Poetry Ireland Review
* The Stinging Fly
* The Honest Ulsterman

Events|

* Cúirt International Festival of Literature
* SoundEye Festival

Awards / prizes|

* Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award
* Poetry Now Award

* v
* t
* e

Ó Dálaigh

General|

* Connachta
* Uí Néill
* Northern Uí Néill
* Cenél nEógain (Branches)
* Gaelic nobility of Ireland
* Chief Ollam of Ireland
* Irish bardic poetry
* Bean Torrach, fa Tuar Broide
* Baron Dunsandle and Clanconal

Early progenitors|

* Niall of the Nine Hostages
* Eógan mac Néill
* Muiredach mac Eógain
* Muirchertach mac Muiredaig
* Domnall Ilchelgach
* Áed Uaridnach
* Máel Fithrich mac Áedo
* Máel Dúin mac Máele Fithrich

Ó Dálaigh family members|

* Dálach Uí Néill
* Cú Connacht Ua Dálaigh
* Ragnall Ua Dálaigh
* Gilla na Trínóite Ua Dálaigh
* Tadhg Doichleach Ua Dálaigh
* Aonghus Ó Dálaigh
* Máel Íosa Ua Dálaigh

Ó Dálaigh Fionn family members|

* Cearbhall Fionn Ó Dálaigh
* Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh
* Aonghus Fionn Ó Dálaigh
* Aonghus Ruadh na nAor Ó Dálaigh
* Daniel O'Daly

Ó Dálaigh
Fionn Bheara family members|

* Donnchadh Mór Ó Dálaigh
* Aonghus Ruadh Ó Dálaigh
* Cearbhall mac Lochlainn Ó Dálaigh
* Lochlann Óg Ó Dálaigh
* Cearbhall Óg Ó Dálaigh
* Dermot Ó Daly
* Denis Daly
* James Daly
* St George Daly
* Denis Daly
* Robert Daly
* Denis Bowes Daly
* Dominick Daly
* Malachy Bowes Daly
* Denis St. George Daly
* Anthony Daly

Mac Mhuirich family members|

* Muireadhach Albanach Ó Dálaigh

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