Bards had a predominant role in the tribe/kingdom story. Indeed, Celts had an oral tradition, and their stories was known by the next generations thanks to songs and stories that the bards composed. They were the keeper of the tribe story, and it's probably thanks to them that we know today what happened before the Christianization of Ireland.
When there was a war, bards was more considered as a diplomat. It was well established on the mind of the tribes leaders that the bards should not be attacked, because of their mission: describe the battles, with of course the right dose of heroism, particularly if the winner is his own sovereign. After a battle, the bard travelled all around the country, with the intention of everybody in the country know what's happened.
That's why bards were very assailed by request by the aristocratic families or by the other tribes: they were the only way for people who lied far from the power center to be in touch about the last events in the country.
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