Many of the poorest families in Ireland are descendants of its ancient chiefs.

The old habit--the habit which deepened and intensified itself during centuries--cannot be eradicated, though it may be ridiculed, and the peasant will still boast of his "blood;" it is all that he has left to him of the proud inheritance of his ancestors.
The second source of historical information may be found in the HISTORIC TALES.

The reciting of historic tales was one of the principal duties of the Ollamh, and he was bound to preserve the truth of history "pure and unbroken to succeeding generations." "According to several of the most ancient authorities, the _Ollamh_, or perfect Doctor, was bound to have (for recital at the public feasts and assemblies) at least Seven Fifties of these Historic narratives; and there appear to have been various degrees in the ranks of the poets, as they progressed in education towards the final degree, each of which was bound to be supplied with at least a certain number.

Thus the _Anroth_, next in rank to an _Ollamh_ should have half the number of an _Ollamh_; the _Cli_, one-third the number, according to some authorities, and eighty according to others; and so on down to the _Fochlog_, who should have thirty; and the _Driseg_ (the lowest of all), who should have twenty of these tales."[79] The Ollamhs, like the druids or learned men of other nations, were in the habit of teaching the facts of history to their pupils in verse,[80] probably that they might be more easily remembered.

A few of these tales have been published lately, such as the Battle of _Magh Rath_, the Battle of _Muighe Leana_, and the _Tochmarc Momera_.