Early Christian Ireland Around 500AD Christian missionaries came to Ireland from different parts of Europe Most famous example was St. Patrick Ireland began to convert from the pagan religion to CHRISTIANITY

Change from Pagan to Christianity Druids were replaced by Priests Pagan festivals became Christian festivals e.g. Imbolg became St. Bridgid’s day Dioceses replaced Tuath’s Bishops were in charge of a Diocese

First Irish Monasteries Some people devoted their lives to God and became MONKS They lived in MONASTERIES which were often in isolated areas so they would feel closer to God St. ENDA built the first one in Ireland on the ARAN ISLANDS in 500AD Other famous monasteries include: CLONMACNOISE (St. Ciaran)

Valentia, Co. Kerry

Clothing of a Monk Their clothes were made from rough UNDYED WOOL. They wore a TUNIC . Over this they wore a CAPE AND HOOD. They wore LEATHER SANDALS on their feet.

Sceilig Mhichil

A Monastery Buildings generally made from Wattle and Daub Monks lived in small BEEHIVE HUTS which had a CORBELLED ROOF. They Prayed in little churches called ORATORIES The head of the Monastery was called an ABBOT People also lived and farmed around the monastery

Beehive Hut

Daily Life in a Monastery Monasteries were busy places. They were also SELF-SUFFICIENT. They grew and made everything for themselves. They had: A SCRIPTORIUM: Where monks would copy holy texts on to new MANUSCRIPTS. They wrote on sheep skin called PARCHMENT and calf-skin called VELLUM. The BOOK OF KELLS was produced in one of these scriptoriums. A REFECTORY: Where the monks would eat.

The monks also EDUCATED CHILDREN in the monasteries. Stables, orchards and other places where skilled people such as SMITHS and MASONS could work. They used large KILNS and WATER-MILLS to grind flour for local farmers which was used to make bread The monks also EDUCATED CHILDREN in the monasteries.

The Book Of Kells

Art and Crafts in the Monasteries Monasteries were very creative places. They produced: SCRIPTS: For example the BOOK OF KELLS HIGH CROSSES: These were crosses with carved scenes from the bible FILIGREE WORK: This was the art of twisting and weaving gold wire for decoration. METALWORK: The monks created decorated vessels e.g. The ARDAGH CHALICE and the DERRYNAFLAN CHALICE

High Cross The top of the cross was made to look like a tiny church. Scenes from the Bible were carved onto the cross and used by the monks to explain religion to people who could not read.

ARDAGH CHALICE It is made of silver and decorated with bronze and glass studs FILIGREE work

Vikings attacking

Round Towers ROUND TOWERS were tall stone towers. Their entrances were high off the ground for defence. They were used as: 1. PROTECTION when the Vikings attacked 2. LOOK-OUT POSTS 3. A BELFRY- to ring a bell 4. Place to STORE VALUABLES from attackers