First evidence of people living in Ireland in Mount Sandel, County Derry.
6000 3500
Céide Fields, an early farming settlement, founded at Belderg, County Mayo.
c. 3000
Proleek Dolmen, a stone tomb, is built in County Louth.
2500
Newgrange, a passage
tomb, is built in County Meath.
4000 2000 c. 2300
The Bronze Age began in Ireland when settlers from Britain and Europe brought a new metal called bronze with them.
0 410 Fall of Rome. 431
Pope Celestine sends Palladius as the first bishop to Ireland.
432
Beginning of St Patrick’s mission to Ireland.
c. 250 The Iron Age began in Ireland when the Celts arrived here and used iron instead of bronze.
c. 400
Development of Ogham – the oldest surviving form of Irish script.
400 461 Death of St Patrick. 440 480
1
St Brigid is one of the patron saints of Ireland. Her symbol is a cross made from rushes.
2
There is no evidence to suggest that the Vikings who raided the monasteries wore horned helmets.
As you work through this chapter, you will: 1. Identify the ways in which historians know about people in the Early Christian period.
2. Examine the society that existed in Ireland when Christianity first arrived. 3. Explore the significant changes that occurred in Ireland due to the arrival of Christianity.
4. Describe the main events and people that were important to the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.
5. Identify the main influences that Christianity had on the Celtic Irish society. 6. Evaluate the contribution of Christianity to the culture and society of Ireland.