After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, much of Europe went through a period of unrest and war known as the Dark Ages (from about AD 500 to 1000). These hard and savage times in Europe – and later, the new threat of Viking attacks at home – led to many monks travelling abroad to found monasteries throughout Europe. The Irish monks abroad produced manuscripts in the Irish style and worked to convert Europe to Christianity. This time is now known as the ‘Golden Age’ of Irish monasteries.
St Columbanus left a monastery in Bangor, Co. Down and went to Europe with a dozen companions, where he founded several monasteries, including Luxeuil in France and Bobbio in Italy. More examples of monasteries set up by Irish monks can be seen to the right. Another example is St Colmcille. He founded monasteries in Durrow and Derry in Ireland, and on Iona, an island off the Scottish coast. Iona is actually where the Book of Kells was made – it was simply found in Kells much later.
Brigantia Aosta Vienne Santa Maria de Bretona Marseilles Bobbio Lucca Flesole
Iona Lindisfarne
Caerdydd Glastonbury Nivelles Saint Riquier Corbie
Péronne Laon
Lagny
Canterbury Aachen
Fosse Paris
Erfurt Nürnberg
Würzberg
Echternach Eichstätt
Reichnan Säckingen
Constance St Gall Pavia
Kelhaim Ratisbone
Memmingen Salzburg Milan Vienna
Monasteries in Britain and Western Europe founded by Irish monks
CHECKPOINT!
1. Why do you think war followed the fall of the Roman Empire? 2. Explain what is meant by the Dark Ages. 3. What work did Irish monks do when they went abroad? 4. Name three modern European countries where Irish monks founded monasteries.
. I understand how the Irish monks had an impact abroad. TIME TO GO BACK I CAN MOVE FORWARD
