Fig 3.21 The map shows the locations of important early Christian monastic sites and centres of Irish Christian influence in Europe. It also shows the routes travelled by Irish monks and scholars.
4. The artwork
One of the greatest and most beautiful sources that historians have from this period are the pieces of art. The metalwork and masonry show a high level of extraordinary detail and are influenced by the Celtic design of La Tène. The Book of Durrow was finished in 670 AD and used intricate Celtic interlacing. The greatest book was probably the Book of Kells. It contains such detail, including little images of cats pursuing mice, an otter catching a fish and a greyhound hunting. The books are so beautiful that it was remarked that it was ‘not the work of men but of angels’!