The Feis of Tara

Ollamh Fodla reigned for thirty years. An ollamh in wisdom and knowledge, he established the Feis of Tara. Here in the course of time the nobles and ollamhs of the land met every third year, at Samhain, to lay down and renew laws and statutes and approve the annals and records of the nation. The nobles had seats at the Feis according to their rank, as had the military commanders. Three days before Samhain and three days after it were spent in feasting, peacemaking and entering into friendly alliances. Violence, robbery or assault committed during the Feis was punishable by death which even the king had no power to reprieve.