Society of Saint Dallan

It is important that each member follows a basic rule of life or conduct, so that they may grow closer to God. In accordance with tradition recorded in Brehon law, the following bardic rules of conduct as established within the Society of Saint Dallán as stated within the Uraicecht na Ríar:

Taisbénad a dréchtae do ollamain – 7 biit na secht ngráda fis occa – 7 gaibthi in ríinna lángrád, inid-focladar int ollam asa dréchtaib 7 asa enncai 7 asa idnai, .i. idnae fhoglaime, 7 idnae béoil, 7 idnae lámae 7 lánamnais, 7 idnae inracuis ar gait 7 brait 7 indligiud, 7 idnae chuirp arna roib acht óenshéitig lais, Ar at-balar coibligiu chíabair acht óenairchinn i n-aidchib téchtaib.

These rules are interpreted as follows:

I. That the poet is presented to the Abbot before the Body of Christ guiltless and has not committed any egregious sins without confession;

II. That the poet possesses perfect knowledge of the material attributed to one’s grade;

III. That the poet has maintained purity of speech, free from lies or slander;

IV. That the poet has maintained the sanctity of one’s marriage (if married);

V. That the poet is innocent of theft and any other criminal acts;

VI. That the poet has not indulged in the act of polygamy;

VII. And that the poet has not indulged in the act of adultery.

These are the rules that every member that this Society must follow, which will be affirmed during one’s Reception. The Ollamh will also determine that the poet possesses a complete knowledge of one’s grade, to which the Abbot – by the authority of the Bishop Protector – will receive the poet in his/her grade.