An or ollamh (; anglicised as ollave or ollav), plural ollomain, in early Irish literature, is a member of the highest rank of filí. The term is used to refer to the highest member of any group; thus an ''ollam

brithem A ''Brithem'' ( la, Judex, sco, Dempster) was a hereditary legal expert in medieval Scotland, charged with upholding the laws within one of the provinces of Scotland. The role is thought to long predate its first documentary record in the 12th c ...

'' would be the highest rank of judge, and an ''ollam rí'' the highest rank of king. Ollav was also applied to a

druid A druid was a member of the high-ranking class in ancient Celtic cultures. Druids were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. Druids left no written accounts. Whi ...

ic rank; meaning much the same as "professor", or person of great learning. Typically the ollav/ollam was endowed with a distinction equal to that of a king, and could therefore wear six colours. There was an official post in ancient Ireland called the " Rí Ollam" or "Ard Ollam" or Chief Ollam of Ireland. The holder of the post had a standing equal to the High King of Ireland. Ollamh Fodhla was the title of the mythical 18th

High King of Ireland High King of Ireland ( ga, Ardrí na hÉireann ) 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 later sometimes assigned ana ...

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, ollams taught children either for payment or for no compensation.

References

Poets Irish literature {{Ireland-stub

Literary fosterage

See also

References