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

and Corcadaimh, a nobleman distinguished for learning,
poetry and hospitality. So that this chief Bard of Erin,
in the 12th century, who is styled a Nobleman, and head
chief of two baronies, would rank in the scale of landed
property, as a Baron, or Eaz'l, among the nobility of the
present day. The O'Dalys are also mentioned as chief
Bards of Meath, under the years 1448, and 1474, after
which time it would appear they removed beyond the
Shannon, into the County of Galway, where they estab-
lished themselves as a highly respectable family, and have
latterly become Lords of Dunsandle.
The Mac Egans are mentioned in the Annals at the year
1409 as chief Brehons of the men of Teffia, that is to the
O'Melaghlins, Mac Geoghegans, Foxes and O'Ferralls of
Meath, Westmeath and Longford. The O'Higgins and the
O'Coffeys, were also Bards to the Mac Geoghegans, Foxes
and O'Ferralls, and some of them removed to the North in
the 14th and 15th centuries, and became celebrated Bards
and historians in Ulster and Connaught. There are many
respectable families of this name in different parts of Ire-
land. See the O'Higgins mentioned as bards of Meath in
the note on Eats and Mice.
Ulster. — The O'Hagans, who were chiefs of a large
territory about Tullaghoge, in the parish of Desertcreight,
barony of Dungannon, county Tyrone, presided as the
hereditary Brehons at the inauguration of the O'Neills as
kings of Ulster and princes of Tyrone. The Mac Namees
were chief Bards to the O'Neills :— Thus at the years 1434,
1507, we are informed by the Four Masters that Maelisa
Mac Namee and Solomon Mac Namee were chief poets or
bards to the O'Neills ; and of the latter they state, " that
he was a man learned in poetry, philosophy, and literature,
and kept a house of hospitality." The O'Gneeves were
also Bards to the O'Neills of Tyrone and Clanncboy ; and