Early Christian Ireland Flashcards
When did Ireland become Christian
Ireland became Christian around 400AD
Important people that arrived in Ireland
431AD Palladius arrived in Ireland.
432AD St Patrick arrived in Ireland
Some info about them
Early Irish monasteries were built in remote places e.g. Skellig Michael.
Monks lived in bee hive cells, which had a corbelled roof.
Lifestyle
They prayed in churches called oratories.
They ate in a dining room called a refectory.
Buildings that they had
buildings included workshops, guesthouses, stables and a round tower
What was the head of the monastery called
The abbot
What did monks spend their time doing
Monks spent their day working, studying and praying.
Study: studied the Bible and copied it in the Scriptorium.
Pray: Morning prayers = matins.
Evening prayers = vespers
What did some monks do
Some monks worked as missionaries spreading the word of God abroad, e.g. St. Colmcille set up a monastery in Iona.
What contribution has Christianity made to Ireland
Contribution to art
Reading and writing
St. Patrick’s day
Christian culture developed
Laws and society
Conflict
Discrimination
Religion changed
Links with Europe
Art
Scribes created illuminated manuscripts in a scriptorium on vellum or parchment
Monks carved high stone crosses to teach the illiterate Bible stories
Monks also produced sliver chalices, croziers and broaches
Reading and writing
Christianity brought reading and writing to Ireland
St. Patrick’s day
17th March is a national holiday. It’s celebrated nationally and internationally
It’s part of our cultural identity
Christian culture developed
Pagan festivals were replaced by Christian ones
Laws and society
Christianity, particularly Catholicism, played a large role in Irish society
Conflict
There have been many conflicts based on religion on the island of Ireland
* E.g. the Troubles
