1. A Monk in Early Christian Ireland
People in history

2. Para 1 – introduction
– explain what a monk is, why i chose this life, where the monastery is and what it is called
- mine is in Clonmacnoise – on the Shannon river – founded by St Ciaran
- I own no property
- day devoted to prayer

3. Para 2 – describe the monastery
- near an important tuath –
- surrounded by a circular stone wall – like a ring fort
- many buildings inside – name some
- oratory or stone church
- round tower, also called a belfry – what is its purpose – what is unusual about it?
- beehive huts
- cist graves
-refectory, guesthouse, the abbot’s house

4. Para 3 – services provided by monastery
– the monastery is very important for the area
- centre of prayer
- health care – herb medicine
- alms for poor
- hospitality for travellers – sleep in guesthouse
- education for boys – monks were the only literate people in Ireland

5. Para 4 – we are self-sufficient
- farming – grow crops and keep animals
- this provides us with food, clothes, and raw material for our manuscripts
- stone masons
- carpenters

6. Para 5 – my job – i work in the scriptorium – i’m a scribe
- explain what happens here –
- quills, vellum (calfskin) or parchment (sheepskin)
- transcribed (wrote out) the Bible with beautiful Celtic designs
- illuminated manuscripts
- coloured ink made from crushed berries, powdered rock, or even beetles
- explain why we do this

7. Para 5 - continued - name a famous illuminated Manuscript
- Cathach (Ireland’s oldest manuscript), Book of Durrow, Book of Kells
- also wrote other books – histories and legends of Celtic Ireland
- famous examples are the Tain, and the Annals

8. Para 6 – other monks are stonemasons
- High stone crosses
- images of saints and scenes from bible – why?
- many people couldn’t read so they could look at the pictures
- stone circle joined the arms of the cross – kept it together

9. Para 6 – some monks worked with silver
- produced beautiful objects – made of silver and gold
- books shrines
- reliquaries
- chalices - name a famous one?
- the Ardagh Chalice – decorated with bronze and glass studs
- has delicate Celtic designs engraved on it – what is this called?
- filigree work

10. Last para - conclusion
- wrap up your essay – say why you like this life
- Say why you think it is important