The Myth of Sheehan

Good folk arrived on the Island after us. Compared to us they were many. They brought iron and steel and their language.

There were among them those who were wise, reverent, and creative; and they respected those things. They were honest and true after their fashion.

We learned their language so well that we adopted their name for us. We began to form a unity with them.

The word Ollom or Ollamh was probably theirs; it was not ours. It was a prefix or title before a man's name as a mark of respect. It was used to indicate teacher or wise man. It was used as we now use Master to indicate one who has dominated his craft.

Although the newcomers thought us crafty and some of our knowledge made them a bit nervous, we did not adopt the title.

I suspect that the 'O' of Ollom is the source of the O' prefix before many modern Irish surnames.

The earliest documentation of the use of Ollamh or Ollom refers to the scholar of Fodla, Ollom Fodla.
If you know more or better, please inform me.

It seems that I remember the place name Fodla is traceable back to a daughter of the Tuath da Dannan; which may begin to take it back to times when Sheehan had other names.