J. F. Campbell Collection > Transactions of the Ossianic Society > Volume 5

tliach the grandson of Lugar, was preeminent amongst the
Bards of Laoghaire (Leary), monarch of Ireland. This
Duvthach was converted to Christianity by St. Patrick.
Amergin, son of Amalgaidh (or Awley), was chief poet
or Bard to the monarch Dermod, who ascended the throne
of Ireland A.D. 544, and died A.D. 565. The name Amer-
gin is a strong proof that bardism was hereditary in certain
families, as no doubt this person was so named after the
first of the Milesian bardic order.
Under the year 596 is recorded Dalian Forgail, who, ac-
cording to the writer of the following work, was not only
Laureate of Ireland, but also of Alba, Britain and Gaul.
Dalian was succeeded in the chief professorship by Shan-
chan the aged poet.
Besides the Ard Ollave or chief Bard of all Ireland, there
was also an Ard Ollave of each of the five provinces, from
amongst whom the chief Bard of Erin was elected, as stated
in this work. It is said that the head professor of Ireland
had thirty inferior bards as attendants, while the provincial
chief Ollave had fifteen, but it appears that Shanchan largely
increased the number of attendant minstrels, as it is stated
that he took along with him to the court of Guaire, king of
Connaught, no less than thrice fifty of the tuneful craft, inde-
pendent of those he had left behind him. The number of
bards that accompanied Dalian to the fortress of the king
of Oirgiall, was thrice nine, which probably was the number
determined at the great convention at Drom-ceat, when
their numbers were reduced and limited, "proportionate
with the various provinces and districts in the kingdom."
We are informed that in the great bardic Institution there
were professors of music as well as of poetry, history and
other arts, and perhaps also all the bards were skilled in
music, as many are said to have performed on the harp with
a master hand.