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Ch. 5 - Early Christian Ireland

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39 views40 pages

Ch. 5 - Early Christian Ireland

Uploaded by

tarisaizhou8
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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AD 400 to AD 795 Chapter

e a rCHRISTIAN
EARLY l y c h r i s IRELAND
tian
ireland

Strand Two: The History of @MsDoorley


Chapter 5

EARLY CHRISTIAN IREL AND

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

2.6 CONSIDER the historical signifi cance of Christianity on the island of


Ireland, including its contributio n to culture and society in the Early Christian
period.
T he Ca tha ch o f St T he Bo o k o f Kel l s
E st imat ed arriva l o f
Co l um b a was originat es fro m t h e
St . Pa t r i ck t o
crea t ed by Si tri c o f Io na Ab b ey in
I relan d as a bish o p.
Kel l s , Co . Mea th . Sco tl a n d .

Ireland
Ireland

AD 431 AD 432 AD 462 AD 500 AD 600 AD 700 AD 795

Bi s ho p Pa l l ad i u s T h e D ea th o f St. T he Bo o k o f D urro w T h e A rri v a l o f th e


arrives in Irela n d t o Pa t ri ck who is was crea t ed on a s it e Vi ki ng s in I relan d
t ea ch Christ ianit y t o believed t o be buried founded by Co l um ma rked t h e begin n in g
t he Iris h paga n s. in D o w np a tri ck . Ci l l e in Co . O ff a l y . o f t h e raids ..

@MsDoorley
Learning Outcomes

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

2.6 CONSIDER the historical significance of Christianity on the island of Ireland, including
its contribution to culture and society in the Early Christian period.
1.3 APPRECIATE their cultural inheritance through recognising historically significant
places and buildings and discussing why historical personalities, events and issues are

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Ireland

commemorated
1.8 INVESTIGATE a repository of historical evidence such as a museum, library, heritage
centre, digital or other archive or exhibition.
1.9 DEMONSTRATE awareness of the significance of history of Ireland and of Europe
and the wider world across various dimensions including political, social, economic,
religious, cultural and scientific dimensions.

@MsDoorley
Introduction

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

In Ireland, the Iron Age - when iron was used to make tools and weapons - took place
between 500 BC and AD 400. Towards the end of the Iron Age, by the early fifth century AD,
Christianity had arrived in Ireland. This had an enormous impact on culture and society in
Ireland. Many fascinating archaeological sites and a wealth of artefacts date from this time.

Ireland
Ireland

@MsDoorley
AD 400 to AD 795 Chapter
5

55.1
.1 TTHE
h e ARRIVAL
A r r i v a l OFo f CHRISTIANITY
C h r i s t i a n i t y IN
in
I r e l
IRELAND a n d

Strand Two: The History of @MsDoorley


Christianity Arrives in

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

Early Christian Ireland is the period when Christianity first came to Ireland. At that time, the people of Ireland

Ireland
were the Celts, farmers and warriors who had come from Central Europe and were pagans. A pagan is
someone who worships various gods, often with a focus on nature or the earth. Druids were spiritual figures
similar to priests in pre-Christian Celtic Ireland.
By the third century AD, the Roman Empire had spread as far as England and was mainly Christians. For

Ireland
Ireland

historians, the first official source about Christianity in Ireland is dated AD 431, when a bishop named Palladius
was sent to the ‘Irish who believe in Christ’.
The most famous bishop to travel to Ireland was St. Patrick. He was brought to Ireland from Wales as a slave
when he was 16 years old. After six years, he escaped back to Britain but later returned as a bishop to spread
Christianity. Between AD 432 and 461, St Patrick worked, mainly in the north, and founded many churches and
missions. We know all of this from his book, ‘St. Patrick’s Confessio’. In it he says that he ‘baptised thousands’
and ‘ordained clerics everywhere’.St. Patrick began to convert the pagan Celts to Christianity.
Pagan festivals continued, but gradually became absorbed into Christianity: for example, Samhain became
Hallowe’en. St. Patrick is said to be buried at Down Cathedral, Co. Down.

Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
Early Irish Monasteries

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

Some Christians chose to live apart from the rest of society in a


closed religious community (monastery) to devote their lives to
God. The first Irish monastery called Inis Mór was founded by St
Enda on the Aran Islands around AD 500. Many followed his
example:

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Ireland

• St Ciarán in Clonmacnoise
• St Colmcille in Derry
• St Brendan in Clonfert
• St Kevin in Glendalough
Monks are men who dedicate themselves to a religious order
and to life in a monastery. The monks lived very strict, simple
lives and spent their days praying and working. They prayed six
to eight times every day. Farm work included ploughing, milking,
harvesting and grinding corn. The monks were often self-
sufficient – they produced all the food they needed.

Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
Chapter Five: Early Christian
Strand Two: The History of

Ireland
Ireland

Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
Early Irish Monasteries

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

Monasteries became centres of learning and were famous as the best in the world for the teaching of poetry,
literature, arts and the Gospel. Ireland became known as ‘the Land of Saints and Scholars’, a saying that is still
popular to this day. Large monasteries such as Clonard, Kells, Clonmacnoise, Glendalough and Clonfert were
built along important routes and had regular contact with nearby towns. But small monasteries were also built
in far more remote spots such as Sceilg Mhicíl in Co. Kerry.

Ireland
Ireland

On Sceilg Mhicíl, about a dozen monks lived on a steep rocky island with a small stone church. A beehive hut
was a small stone hut, shaped like a beehive, where a monk slept. To plant and grow food, soil had to be
brought from the mainland. The extreme isolation meant that monks could better focus on God and work.

Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
The layout of an early Irish

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

monastery

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Ireland

Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
The layout of an early Irish

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

monastery
• The oratory (church) – made of wood or stone – was • The round tower was a bell tower and a safe place for
where monks attended Mass or prayed. people (and treasures) if the monastery came under
• The scriptorium was where manuscripts were copied attack. The door was many meters above ground and
by hand and illustrated. could not be reached without a ladder. Its few
• A manuscript is a book written by hand. The monks windows were very high up so that a lookout could

Ireland
Ireland

who did this work were called scribes. spot attackers and access would be difficult. Many
• The refectory was where the monks ate their meals. round towers are still visible in Ireland, including:
Glendalough in Co. Wicklow, Kells in Co. Meath,
Ardmore in Co. Waterford, Clonmacnoise in Co.
Offaly.
• Large monasteries had a guesthouse for travellers or
visiting tradesmen.
• All monasteries had fields to grow crops and graze
animals.
• There was a cemetery (graveyard) for the monks’
simple graves.
• Large monasteries had a circular wall or bank for
protection.
Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
Checkpoint (pg. 39, Artefact, 2nd Edition)

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

1.When did Christianity arrive in Ireland?


2.How did Christianity arrive in Ireland?
3.Explain the terms monastery and beehive hut.
4.Name three examples of Early Christian Ireland monasteries.
5.Explain the terms scriptorium; refectory; oratory; round tower and manuscript.

Ireland
Ireland

@MsDoorley
Checkpoint (pg. 39, Artefact, 2nd Edition)

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

1.The first official source about Christianity in Ireland is dated AD 431.


2.A bishop named Palladius was sent to the ‘Irish who believe in Christ’.
3.Monastery: a closed religious community; Monks: men who dedicate themselves to a religious order and to
life in a monastery.
4.Any three of: Derry, Monasterboice, Kells, Clonard, Tallaght, Glendalough, Kildare, Clonfert, Clonmacnoise,

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Ireland

Inis Mór, Ardmore, Skellig Michael.


5.Scriptorium: a room where manuscripts were copied by hand and illustrated by scribes; Round tower: a bell
tower and safe place for people and treasures if the monastery came under attack.

@MsDoorley
AD 400 to AD 795 Chapter
5

5 .5.3:
3 : tTHE
h e ART
a r t OF
o f EARLY
e a r l y CHRISTIAN
christian
iIRELAND
reland

Early Christian Ireland monasteries were famous for their great works of art, which were made to honour God
and show the monastery’s importance. These works of art included manuscripts, metalwork and high crosses.
Early Christian monks continued to use the La Tene style art that had been brought to Ireland by the Celts.

Strand Two: The History of @MsDoorley


Manuscripts

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

Christianity helped to spread reading and writing in Ireland. Manuscripts


contained the Gospels and the Psalms from the Bible, accounts of the lives of
saints and also Celtic myths and sagas. They were written in Latin, on
parchment made from sheepskin or vellum made from calfskin. They were
decorated with Celtic patterns in vivid colours made from berries, crushed

Ireland
Ireland

acorns, powdered rocks, metals and beetles. For pens, monks used quills –
goose feathers sharpened and dipped in ink.
• The Cathach of St Columba is the oldest Irish manuscript. It dates
from the late sixth century AD.
• The Book of Durrow was probably created between AD 600 and 700
and is kept in Trinity College Library.
• The most famous manuscript is the Book of Kells also kept at Trinity
College Dublin. It dates from around AD 700-800 and is a beautifully
decorated copy of the four Gospels. The Book of Kells attracts over
500,000 visitors to Trinity College each year! Every day a librarian very
VERY carefully turns to a new page. It is, after all, over 1,200 years old.

Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
Metalwork

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

Irish monks were very skilled craftsmen and created beautiful metalwork
pieces. These included: chalices, brooches, bells, cups and belts.
The monks decorated silver with gold, amber, enamel and coloured glass.
They also made intricate gold writing, called filigree.
Celtic designs can be seen in their work, which shows overlap between

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Ireland

Christian beliefs and pagan traditions.


• The Ardagh Chalice (eighth century) and the Derrynaflan Chalice (early
ninth century) are examples of chalices made using these skills.
• The Bell of St Patrick and its Shrine (cover) is another example.
• The bell dates from the eighth to the ninth century, while the shrine is
from a later date.
• The Cross of Cong is a later example of detailed metalwork (early twelfth
century).
• All of these are on display in the National Museum in Dublin.

Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
Stonemasonry - Stone

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

Stonemasonry was very important in Early Christian Ireland. Gifted stonemason monks carved what we call

Crosses
high crosses. A high cross is a free-standing stone cross, usually with elaborate carvings showing biblical
scenes.
For example; the story of Adam and Eve or the Crucifixion of Christ. Most people at that time could not read or
write so these scenes helped teach Bible stories. Complex Celtic patterns surrounded these scenes – like a

Ireland
Ireland

page border. Two of the most beautiful high crosses in Ireland are:
• The Cross of the Scriptures in Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly (late tenth century)
• Muiredach’s Cross in Monasterboice, Co. Louth (mid-ninth to early tenth century).

Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
Checkpoint (pg. 41, Artefact, 2nd Edition)

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

1.Name three types of art produced by Irish monks.


2.What was the La Tene style?
3.What materials were used in the scriptorium?
4.Name two examples of metalwork from Early Christian Ireland.
5.Describe the kinds of decorations on metal work pieces/

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Ireland

6.Explain the terms: manuscript and high cross.


7.Why did monks carve scenes from the Bible on high crosses?

@MsDoorley
AD 400 to AD 795 Chapter
5

5.3:
5 . 3THE IMPACT
: th e i m pOF
a c IRISH
t o f iMONKS
rish
m o nABROAD
ks abroad

Strand Two: The History of @MsDoorley


The Golden Age of Irish

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, much of


Monasteries
Europe went through a period of unrest known as the
Dark Ages (AD 500 to 1000). These hard and savage
times – and later, the new threat of Viking attacks at
home – led to many monks travelling abroad to found

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Ireland

monasteries throughout Europe. These Irish monks


produced manuscripts in the Irish style and worked to
convert Europe to Christianity. This period of time was
known as the ‘Golden Age’ of Irish monasteries.
St Columbanus left a monastery in Bangor, Co. Down
to found several monasteries including Luxeuil in
France and Bobbio in Italy.
St Colmcill left Ireland at the age of 44 to found the
monastery on the island of Iona (off the coast of
Scotland). Iona is actually where the Book of Kells
was made – it was simply found in Kells much later.

Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
Checkpoint (pg. 42, Artefact, 2nd Edition)

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

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.

Ireland
Ireland

@MsDoorley
Checkpoint (pg. 42, Artefact, 2nd Edition)

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

1.Why do you think war followed the fall of the Roman Empire?
a. Because each of the territories from the Roman Empire wanted to establish themselves as independent
countries.
2.Explain what is meant by the Dark Ages.
a. The period 500-1000 AD that saw war throughout Europe. It is also a period of time for which we have

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Ireland

limited written sources from.


3.What work did Irish monks do when they went abroad?
a. They founded monasteries.
b. They created manuscripts.
c. They converted pagans to Christianity.
4.Name three modern European countries where Irish monks founded abroad.
1.Portugal 1.Italy
2.Scotland 2.Spain
3.England 3.Netherlands
4.Wales 4.Luxembourg
5.Belgium 5.Austria
6.France 6.Switzerland
7.Denmark @MsDoorley
AD 400 to AD 795 Chapter
5

5.4:
5 .THE
4 : tARRIVAL
h e a r r iOF
v a THE
l o f VIKINGS
the
vikings

Strand Two: The History of @MsDoorley


The Vikings

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

In eight-century Scandinavia (modern-day Denmark, Sweden and Norway), the people we know as Vikings
were farmers and fishermen.
Their superb shipbuilding and navigational skills allowed them to voyage to many countries, including Ireland.
The Vikings’ boats were called longships, capable of crossing stormy seas but still shallow enough to sail up
rivers.

Ireland
Ireland

@MsDoorley
Viking raids on Ireland

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

The first record Viking attacks on Ireland took place in AD 795, focusing on rich monasteries. Those on Lambay
Island, Co. Dublin and Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim were both pillaged and burned that year. By the mid-ninth
century, the Vikings were establishing longphorts, camps by the water used as a base for raids. Many
longphorts were temporary while others grew into important trade points and eventually large towns. Wexford,
Waterford, Limerick and Dublin were all once longphorts.

Ireland
Ireland

Early Christian monasteries were easy targets for raiders. To the pagan Vikings, Christian monasteries were
not sacred in any way – they were isolated places, full of treasure and with no warriors to defend them.
The Vikings also took captives to sell as slaves along with cattle and food stores. Round towers were very
useful in Irish monasteries for warning and protection in times of attacks – but not just by Vikings as the native
Irish also attacked (also pagans).

@MsDoorley
Viking settlements in

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

Over time, the Vikings who settled in Ireland intermarried with Gaelic people and adopted Gaelic culture and

Ireland
customs (became Gaelicised). Eventually, the Vikings disappeared as a distinct group in Ireland but they had
deeply influenced Irish culture and society.
• They introduced currency (coins) to Ireland and opened more trade liks with Europe.
• They introduced new words to the Irish language such as long (ship), bróg (shoe), margadh (market),

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Ireland

pingin (penny) and breá (good, fine).


• Many Irish surnames are Viking in origin, for instance McLoughlin, Doyle, Higgins, O'Rourke, Reynolds and
McAuliffe.

Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
A Viking Settlement:

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

• The most prominent archaeological find of Viking remains and examples of beautiful craftsmanship were

Dublin found in Dublin at Wood Quay, Christ Church and the Temple Bar area.
• At Wood Quay, remains of about 200 houses from the tenth and eleventh centuries were uncovered, giving
us a wealth of information about Viking life in Ireland.
• The houses were rectangular and their thatched roofs (of barley straw) were supported by posts

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Ireland

inside the house.


• The walls were wattle and daub, a woven mesh plaster with a mixture of mud, dung, sand and straw.
Once dry, it was quite strong and helped insulate the house against Irish weather. Inside, hearths (for a fire)
and benches were found, along with evidence of workshops.
• Streets and pathways were surfaced with gravel, stones, wattle mats or split logs. Back yards were divided
by posts and wattle fences.
• Even toilet areas and rubbish pits were identified (the Vikings were very clean when not at war).
• Other amazing artefacts such as glass beads, necklaces and brooches were found there.
• Underneath Dublin’s streets lay the archaeological footprint of many generations who lived in the bustling
international port known to the Vikings as Dyfflin.

@MsDoorley
Checkpoint (pg. 43, Artefact, 2nd Edition)

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

1.Explain the terms longphorts and longship.


2.When did the Vikings arrive in Ireland?
3.List two examples of Viking sites in Dublin.
4.Name three things found in Wood Quay by archaeologists.

Ireland
Ireland

@MsDoorley
Checkpoint (pg. 43, Artefact, 2nd Edition)

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

1.Explain the terms longphorts and longships.


a. Longphorts - raiding bases for the Vikings to attack the native Irish and monasteries from.
b. Longships - the boats built by the Vikings that could brace the sea and rivers.
2.When did the Vikings arrive in Ireland?
a. 795 AD

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Ireland

3.List two examples of Viking sites in Dublin.


a. Wood Quay
b. Christ Church
c. Temple Bar
4.Name three things found in Wood Quay by archaeologists.
a. Brooches
b. Glass beads
c. Houses
d. Tools used

@MsDoorley
AD 400 to AD 795 Chapter
5

5.5: THE5 HISTORICAL


. 5 : t h e h i sSIGNIFICANCE
torical OF
sEARLY
i g n i fiCHRISTIAN
c a n c e o IRELAND
f early
christian ireland

Strand Two: The History of @MsDoorley


Historical Significance

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

Since its arrival on the island of Ireland, Christianity has shaped Irish identity, beliefs, practices and customs.
Early Christian monasteries can be found all around Ireland and metalwork, stonework and manuscripts
created there are conserved in our museums.
Early Christian Ireland influenced the Irish landscape, as many place names reveal a religious origin, for
example Kilkenny, Monasterevin and Downpatrick. The Early Christian Irish Church cleverly absorbed some

Ireland
Ireland

pagan rituals and beliefs, such as holy wells, into their practices, which ensured that Christianity quickly
became the dominant religious tradition in Ireland. According to the 2016 Census figures, 84.6% of the
population of the Republic of Ireland identifies as Christian.
Since the Plantations, divisions within Christianity on the island - between Catholics and Protestants - have
made religion a key factor in Irish history (we will learn more about them next year).
Many of the symbols that represent Ireland to this day can be linked to the history of Christianity on the island.
One such symbol is Brigid's cross, a cross of woven rushes which is traditionally linked to St Brigid of Kildare.
Another symbol that represents Ireland is the shamrock which is associated with St Patrick who used it to
explain the Holy Trinity. The Shamrock is used as the symbol for the Irish national rugby and soccer teams.
The Republic of Ireland's national holiday is on 17th March and is dedicated to St Patrick, the patron saint of
Ireland. In countries such as the USA and Australia, people who are part of the Irish diaspora come together to
mark St Patrick's Day with many wearing the shamrock to celebrate their Irish heritage.
Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
St Brigid of Kildare, c. AD 451-

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

St Brigid of Kildare is one of Ireland's three patron saints. She was an Early
525 Christian Irish nun, abbess and foundress of several convents. St Brigid's
Convent in Co. Kildare was founded in AD 470 - even earlier than Inis Mór.
Her feast is 1st February. This was originally a pagan festival called Imbolc,
which marked the beginning of spring and was associated with a popular

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Ireland

Celtic goddess of the same name. The few historical details on St Brigid are
all from Christian sources dated centuries after her death, while the stories
about her contain elements of folklore and strong similarties to the goddess.
Some have suggested that St Brigid was not a real figure, but an invention of
the Church.

St Brigid's Cross taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie); St Brigid taken @MsDoorley
from Wikipedia.
Checkpoint (pg. 42, Artefact, 2nd Edition)

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

1.Give two examples of place names in Ireland that reveal a religious origin.
2.What percentage of the Irish population identifies as Christian, according to the 2016 census?
3.Name two Irish symbols.
4.When is the Republic of Ireland's national holiday?
5.Name a patron saint of Ireland.

Ireland
Ireland

@MsDoorley
Checkpoint (pg. 42, Artefact, 2nd Edition)

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

1.Give two examples of place names in Ireland that reveal a religious origin.
a. Kilcormac
b. Monasterevin
c. Downpatrick
d. Kilkenny

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Ireland

2.What percentage of the Irish population identifies as Christian, according to the 2016 census?
a. 84.6%
3.Name two Irish symbols.
a. Shamrock
b. Brigid’s Cross
c. The Harp
4.When is the Republic of Ireland's national holiday?
a. 17th March - St Patrick‘s Day
5.Name a patron saint of Ireland.
a. St Patrick
b. St Brigid
c. St Columba
@MsDoorley
AD 400 to AD 795 Chapter
5

5 5.6:
. 6 : SUMMARY
summary

Strand Two: The History of @MsDoorley


In this chapter, we learned

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

• Early Christian Ireland is the period when Christianity first came to Ireland.

that...•

A bishop called Palladius was sent to Ireland in AD 431 to spread Christianity.
The most famous bishop to travel to Ireland was St. Patrick between 432 and 461.
• From the sixth century on, many monasteries were build on island. The first monastery, named Inis Mór,
was founded by St. Enda. The first convent was founded by St. Brigid at Kildare.

Ireland
Ireland

• Other examples of monasteries include Clonard, Kells, Clonmacnoise, Glendalough, Clonfert and Sceilg
Mhicíl.
• Some monastery buildings were: beehive huts, an oratory, a refectory, a scriptorium and a round tower.
• Art created by the monks included manuscripts, metalwork and stone high crosses.
• The Vikings began to raid and settle in Ireland in the eighth century.
• Amazing evidence giving insight into their lives in Dublin was found at Wood Quay.
• Many Irish monks went abroad to save or spread Christianity.
• This period is historically significant for the island of Ireland and has impacted Irish identity.

Diagram taken from Artefact, 2nd Edition by Eimear Jenkinson and Gregg O'Neill (educate.ie) @MsDoorley
Reflecting on... Early Christian

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

Ireland
The arrival of Christianity to the island of Ireland is historically significant. Christianity helped
to spread reading and writing in Ireland. Irish monasteries became centres of learning. Great
works of art were also created by Irish monks. Christainity therefore contributed to the
culture and society of Early Christian Ireland.

Ireland
Ireland

@MsDoorley
SEC Examination Questions

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

2022 SEC Q1g

Ireland
Ireland

@MsDoorley
Project

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

Guidelines: Assessment:
1.Length: The depth of your project should reflect about 2-3 weeks of work. Your projects will be
2.Sources: Use at least three different sources for your research. These can assessed based on:
be books, scholarly articles, or reputable online resources. 1.Research and
3.Citations: All information and images that are not your own should be Content

Ireland
properly cited. 2.Creativity and
Ireland

4.Mediums: You may choose to present your project in one of the following Presentation
ways: 3.Understanding of
⚬ Poster/PowerPoint: Your poster should be informative and visually Context
engaging. 4.Adherence to
⚬ Minecraft or Lego Model: If choosing this option, please also include Guidelines
a brief report explaining your model.
⚬ Painting/Drawing: Your artwork should be accompanied by a
description.
⚬ Recycled Materials: Create your model using recycled materials and
provide an explanation of your creative process.

@MsDoorley
Project

Chapter Five: Early Christian


Strand Two: The History of

Historical Sites Historical Figures


Skellig Michael, County Kerry St Patrick
Clonmacnoise, County Offaly St Brigid
Glendalough, County Wicklow St Colmcille
Monasterboice, County Louth St Columbanus

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Ireland

Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary St Ciarán


St Íte
Brendan the Navigator

@MsDoorley

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