ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ollamh Érenn

Okay, imagine a long long time ago in a place called Ireland. There were some very smart and respected people called Ollamh Érenn (oh-lum-eh-air-in).

These Ollamh Érenn were like teachers, poets and lawyers all rolled into one! They were very clever and could remember lots of stories and poems that they would tell to other people. They could also give advice about the law and make important decisions that could affect the whole country.

Being an Ollamh Érenn wasn't easy though! You had to be really really good at remembering things and be able to speak very well too. Some of them could even recite long stories from memory without making a mistake!

People would travel from all around the country to meet an Ollamh Érenn and listen to their stories and advice. They were very respected and important figures in ancient Irish society.