Early Christian Ireland

St.Patrick- Patrick grew up in Roman Britain.At ages sixteen he was kidnapped by irish raiding parties and later was bought by a man named Milchu, who forced him to tend to sheep in the mountains. Patrick later escaped and became a Priest, he returned to Ireland around AD 432 to spread Christianity .By the time Patrick died (30 years later) most of Ireland was Christian.
Six century onwards, many monostries were set up all around Ireland.In these monostries holy men/Monks spent their lives praying, working and studying.They lead a very strict life-style.They ate little food and wore uncomfortable Habit made of course cloth.They did not marry and they shaved the top of their heads in what is called a Tonsure.
Large monostries, such as that at Clonmacnoise on the River Shannon, were built along important routways.Others, like that at Armagh, were built near the homes of kings. But many small monasteries, such as that at Skellig Micheal, were built in remote places. There the Monks would lead undisturbed, holy lives and could work ,pray in peaceful surroundings.
Monasteries
1. In a typical large monastery the monks were self-sufficient. Many large monasteries had many of the same types of buildings. They are mentioned down below.
2. Scriptorium-Where monks copied manuscripts.
3. Refectory- Where the monks gathered to eat.
4. Guest house-For any guests the monastery may have.
5. Oratory/Church- Where the monks gathered for mass or prayer.
6. Monastery farm- Most Monasteries were self sufficient and got most of their materials from farming such as food, clothes, parchment(sheepskin) and vellum(calfskin).
7. Cist graves- Where monks were buried.
8. The Abbot(head of the monastery) had his own house.
9. Cell/Hut- Where the monks lived.
10. Bank/Wall- Monasteries were surrounded by a large wall to protect from intruders.
11. Round Tower- Were used as a storage place, it also housed a bell to call the monks to mass. When under attack the monks would retreat to the round tower as the door was high up and could only be reached by a ladder inside the tower.
12. Crannogs: Were small houses made of wattle and daub built on a lake with the only access being a bridge connected to the bank.
Some services provided by the monasteries
1. 1)Monasteries were centres of prayers and religion.
2. 2)Some monks were skilled in the use of herbs as medicines.They provided health care for the sick.
3. 3)Monasteries gave alms(food and other help)to the poor.
4. 4)Some monasteries had guesthouses. These offered shelter and hospitality to travellers at at time when there were no hotels.
5. 5)Some monks were among the very few people who could read or write. They often provided education for boys and young men in religion, Latin, Greek and other subjects.
Irish Monastic Art
1. Many monks produced great works of art to honour god.
  1. Types:1)Manuscripts 2)Stone crosses 3)Metalwork
    1. 1)Manuscripts: Scribes produced beautiful illuminated (coloured) pages on vellum(calfskin) and parchment(sheepskin) using quills(goose feathers).EX-Book of Kells.
    2. 2)Stone Crosses-The monks used stone crosses to explain Christianity to people who could not read or write.
    3. 3)Metalwork:Monks made beautiful objects out of metals. They made Chalices and crosiers(bishops staff).Book shrines were boxes that held important books. Reliquaries were boxes/shrines used to hold precious relics. The Ardagh Chalice is one of Irelands most precious treasures. It is designed using Filigree (gold writing).
Irish monks abroad
1. St.Columeille
2. St.Aiden
3. St.Columbanus
4. St.Gall

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Early Christian Ireland

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	Created by Hannah Walsh over 8 years ago