Ollam
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An or ollamh (; anglicised as ollave or ollav), plural ollomain, in
early Irish literature Early Irish literature is one of the oldest vernacular literatures in Western Europe, though inscriptions utilising Irish and Latin are found on Ogham stones dating from the 4th century, indicating simultaneous usage of both languages by this p ...
, 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'' would be the highest rank of judge, and an ''ollam '' the highest rank of king. Ollav was also applied to a druidic 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 " Ollam" or "Ard Ollam" or
Chief Ollam of Ireland Chief may refer to: Title or rank Military and law enforcement * Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force * Chief of police, the head of a police department * Chief of the boa ...
. 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 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.


See also

*
Ollamh Érenn The Ollamh Érenn () or Chief Ollam of Ireland was a professional title of Gaelic Ireland. Background An (literally 'most great') was a poet or bard of literature and history. Each chief or had its own . The head ollam of a province such as ...
*
Senchán Torpéist Senchán Torpéist (c. 560–649 AD) was a Gaelic-Irish poet. Background Seanchan Torpest was the Chief Poet of Connacht c.640 AD when he succeeded Dallán Forgaill as Chief Ollam of Ireland. He died in c.649 AD. His father was Cuairfheartaig ...
* Dallán Forgaill


References

Poets Irish literature {{Ireland-stub