EaRlY ChRiStIaN IrElAnD 2. Celtic reaction


Celtic life continued throughout these centuries and for some time the daily life of the people remained the same. Over time, however, more and more missionaries (people who want to convert people to their religion) were sent to Ireland such as St Secundius and St Auxilius. Churches were built near old pagan sites and bishops, priests and monks took over the role of the druids whose power was slowly reduced. Traditional Celtic festivals were replaced by Christian ones, e.g. Imbolg became St. Brigid’s day and Samhain became Halloween. By the middle of the sixth century Christianity was the main religion of Ireland.


3. The monastery or convent


During these early years of Christianity a new way of Christian life became popular among some people. Christians who wished to devote their lives entirely to God separated themselves from the rest of the population. They set up places called monasteries for men and convents for women. The first monastery in Ireland was set up by St Enda on Inis Mór on the Aran Islands. Soon other monasteries were established, e.g. at Kildare by St Brigid, at Clonmacnoise by St Ciarán and at Clonfert by St Brendan. Perhaps the most spectacular monastery was on Sceilig Mhichíl (Skellig Michael) off the coast of County Kerry. This isolated location meant that the monks could focus on praying and devoting themselves to God. They lived on milk, cheese and fish and if they wished to grow anything they had to bring the soil from the mainland. More convents and monasteries were built over the next 200 years and they became centres of learning and grew in importance. Monks and nuns lived very strict and simple lives. They spent their days praying and studying the Bible. Some monasteries became famous for their metalwork and beautifully illustrated Bibles.


The monastery was designed like the rath that we looked at on page 64. A circular ramp of soil or a stone wall was built around the monastery.


3


RECALL


1. How do we know about the life of St Patrick? 2. From where was St Patrick supposed to have come? 3. Why were monasteries set up during this time? 4. Give two examples of monasteries that were established in Ireland during this time.


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