1. Early Christian Ireland First Year History

2. Early Christian Ireland. (Early 400s AD)  First arrived in the south-east.  Some may have been slaves.  Palladius sent as bishop.  Patrick best known.  The story of Patrick.  Most Celts were Christian by 600AD.  Celtic life continued as before but druids lost power.

3. Monasteries:  Remote areas  Glendalough Skellig Michael

4. Clonmacnoise

6.  Founded in 545 by Saint Ciarán  The strategic location of the monastery on the River Shannon in the heart of the midlands helped it become a major hive of activity for religion, learning, craftsmanship and trade by the 9th century.

7. Round Towers

8. Beehive cells (clocháns)

9. Scriptorium  Manuscripts on parchment or vellum Book of Kells Cathach

10. Arts and crafts:  Metalwork.  Filigree ( Ardagh and Derrynaflan chalices, Tara brooch )  High crosses (Muireadeach ’s Cross in Monasterboice)

11. Irish monks abroad:  ‘ Island of saints and scholars ’  Columcille in Iona  Columbanus in Bobbio, Italy.