Early Christian Ireland

• Monks lived in beehive huts
• Monks prayed in churches called oratories
• Monks ate in a refectory
• Monasteries were self-sufficient and provided food, shelter, and education for the poor
• Monks copied holy texts in scriptoriums (on parchment, sheep skin)
• Monks wore clothes made from undyed wool and tunic + habit over it
• Monks had to make vows of chastity (never to marry) obedience and poverty (live simply)
• The high cross depicted scenes from the bible, to explain to illiterate people
• Example of manuscript/primary source: Book of Kells
• Ireland became christian around 400AD
• Arts and crafts: manuscripts, high crosses, filigree work (twisting and weaving gold wire), metal work
• Monasteries were important as they helped spread education
• Christianity’s contribution to Ireland: 1) literacy (recorded history began), 2) religious change, 3) development of christian culture, 4) tourism (historical sites from the his period are now popular tourist attractions), 5) links with europe, 6) law and society (divorce became illegal until 1996), 7) irish identity (saint patricks day), 8) discrimination and conflict (the troubles)