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On the contrary, it was during
this time that Ireland became a great centre
for each; religion, scholarship and education.
It all began when Saint Patrick
and a string of other significant Christian
missionaries divided the country into dioceses
and placed a Bishop in charge of each. After
this, numerous grand monasteries were founded
by many of the bishops right throughout the
island. |
Gradually, these places
were to become the most important feature
of Christian life in Ireland.
The chief founders of Irish monasteries were
Saint Columba (Colum Cille)
at Derry and Kells, Saint Brigid
in Kildare, Saint Enda in the Aran Islands,
Saint Finnian at Clonard, Saint Brendan at
Clonfert, Saint Comgall in Bangor, Saint Finbarr
in Cork and Saint Ciaran at Clonmacnois.
(For more information - Click on Celtic
Saints along the left hand side). |
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Many scholars from all over
Europe travelled to the Emerald Isle to study
in it's legendary monastery schools. It just
so happened that scriptures and theology were
the dominant subjects at this time. You see,
the arrival of Christianity brought with it
literacy and as such the more literate the
people were the more they could learn about
the scriptures and theology.
So, the Saints and the Scholars went hand
in hand.
This is evident from examining significant
early Irish artefacts such as the Book of
Kell's the Book of Durrow and the Book of
Armagh, all of which combine knowledge of
both fields - education and religion. |
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Today there are as many Saints
associated with Ireland as there are pubs
in County Cork - and that really is saying
something!
To view a list of the most famous Irish Saints,
their Feast Days and the Irish Town / County
that they are associated with Click on Feast
Days down the left-hand side.
If you want to find out more about each of
our three Patron Saints then click on their
individual name or for a biography of other
significant Saints - Click on Other Irish
Saints - this list will be added to regularly
over the coming months.
The Legend of Saint Patrick can also be viewed
in more depth by clicking on Information
Ireland, then Myths & Legends
and finally on the Most Famous
Section. |
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