1. 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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. Valentia, Co. Kerry

5. 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.

6. Sceilig Mhichil

7. 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

8. Beehive Hut

9. 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.

11. 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.

12. The Book Of Kells

13. 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

14. 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.

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

16. Vikings attacking

17. 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