Thus, pedigrees and genealogies became a family necessity; but since private claims might be doubted, and the question of authenticity involved such important results, a responsible public officer was appointed to keep the records by which all claims were decided.

Each king had his own recorder, who was obliged to keep a true account of his pedigree, and also of the pedigrees of the provincial kings and of their principal chieftains.

The provincial kings had also their recorders (Ollamhs or Seanchaidhe[73]); and in obedience to an ancient law established long before the introduction of Christianity, all the provincial records, as well as those of the various chieftains, were required to be furnished every third year to the convocation at Tara, where they were compared and corrected.
The compilers of these genealogies were persons who had been educated as Ollamhs--none others were admissible; and their "diplomas" were obtained after a collegiate course, which might well deter many a modern aspirant to professorial chairs.

The education of the Ollamh lasted for twelve years; and in the course of these twelve years of "hard work," as the early books say, certain regular courses were completed, each of which gave the student an additional degree, with corresponding title, rank, and privileges.[74] "In the Book of _Lecain_ (fol.

168) there is an ancient tract, describing the laws upon this subject, and referring, with quotations, to the body of the _Brethibh Nimhedh_, or 'Brehon Laws.' According to this authority, the perfect Poet or _Ollamh_ should know and practise the _Teinim Laegha_, the _Imas Forosnadh_, and the _Dichedal do chennaibh_.