History - Early Christian Ireland

Pagan

someone who worships various gods, often with a focus on nature or the earth

Druid

a spiritual figure similar to a priest in pre-Christian Celtic Ireland

Monastery

a closed religious community living by the rules of an order

Scriptorium

a room where manuscripts were copied by hand and illustrated by scribes

Round tower

a bell tower and safe place for people and treasures if the monastery came under attack

High cross

a free-standing stone cross, usually with elaborate carvings showing biblical scenes

Longphort

a Viking camp by the water, used as a base for raids

Manuscript

a book written by hand, often in Latin, on sheepskin parchment or vellum (calfskin)

The first Monastery

Inis Mór, founded by St. Enda

the most famous bishop to travel to Ireland

St. Patrick

bishop sent to Ireland in AD 431 to spread Christianity

Palladius

refectory

where Monks ate

beehive hut

a small stone hut where a monk slept

when the Vikings began to raid and settle in Ireland

the eighth century

Early Christian Ireland period (Year-Year)

AD 400-800

the new people brought to Ireland during the Iron Age

The Celts

art created by monks

manuscripts, metalwork and stone high crosses