An or ollamh (; anglicised as ollave or ollav), plural ollomain, in
early Irish literature
Early Irish literature, is commonly dated from the 8th or 9th to the 15th century, a period during which modern literature in Irish began to emerge. It stands as one of the oldest vernacular literature in Western Europe, with its roots extendin ...
, was a master in a particular trade or skill.
Bard
Generally, ''ollam'' referred to a professional poet or bard of literature and history, and a member of the highest of the seven ranks of
filÃ
The fili (or ''filè'') (), plural filid, filidh (or filès), was a member of an elite class of poets in Gaelic Ireland, Ireland, and later Scotland in the Middle Ages, Scotland, up until the English Renaissance, Renaissance. The filid were b ...
, achieved after at least twelve years of study,
As part of a king's court, the ollam might combine the functions of poet, story-teller, and historian, including an accurate recitation of genealogies. The calling to the vocation was usually a family tradition.
As early as 574, members of the
Ó hUiginn
Ó hUiginn is the surname of a Gaels, Gaelic-Irish people, Irish family of soldiers, poets, and historians located in Connacht. Originally part of the southern Uà Néill based in the Irish midlands, they moved west into Connacht. They were espec ...
(
O'Higgins) clan were recorded as hereditary poets in the courts of Irish Princes and Chiefs. As such they were accorded a status of nobility second in rank only to the King and were entitled to wear the same number of colours in their robes.
Other uses
The term was also used to refer to the highest member of any group; thus an ''ollam
brithem'' would be the highest rank of judge, and an ''ollam
rÃ'' the highest rank of king. Ollav was also applied to a
druid
A druid was a member of the high-ranking priestly class in ancient Celtic cultures. The druids were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. Druids left no wr ...
ic rank; meaning much the same as "professor", or person of great learning.
There was an official post in ancient Ireland called the "
RÃ Ollam" or "Ard Ollam" or
Chief Ollam of Ireland. The holder of the post had a standing equal to the High King of Ireland.
was the title of the mythical 18th
High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland ( ) was a royal title in Gaelic Ireland held by those who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over all of Ireland. The title was held by historical kings and was later sometimes assigned anachronously or to leg ...
who is said to have first formed the assembly known as the ''Feis Teamhrach'', or Feast of Tara around 1300 BCE.
Literary fosterage
In
Ancient Ireland
The prehistory of Ireland has been pieced together from Archaeology, archaeological evidence, which has grown at an increasing rate over recent decades. It begins with the first evidence of permanent human residence in Ireland around 10,500 BC ...
, ollams taught children with or without compensation depending on the circumstance.
See also
*
Ollamh Érenn
*
Senchán Torpéist
*
Dallán Forgaill
References
Poets
Irish literature
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