Christianity Arrives In Ireland: The Golden Age

The Early Christian period in Irish history was between 400AD and 800AD. Known as the Golden Age, it marked a profound cultural and religious transformation.

Pre-Christian Irish pagans practiced Celtic polytheism, worshiping nature deities and spirits. The Druids, as priests and scholars, conducted rituals, offered sacrifices, and interpreted omens. After the arrival of the Celtic Culture in Ireland, their society was deeply connected to the land, with sacred sites like groves and rivers. Festivals like Samhain marked seasonal changes and spiritual events.

The Druids didn't believe in writing down their knowledge or expertise so everything was orally passed along. There are no written historical records for the beginning of the early Christian period in Ireland. Written records didn't start until the monastic movement settled in Ireland and began composing manuscripts, collecting stories from people and recording current events.

Who brought Christianity to Ireland?

The first Christians to arrive in Ireland were likely missionaries from Roman Britain, predating St. Patrick. One of the earliest known figures was Palladius, a bishop sent by Pope Celestine I in 431 AD to minister to Irish Christians, particularly in Leinster. Though less famous than St. Patrick, Palladius was key in establishing early Christian communities in Ireland.

A chronicle published in 433AD by Saint Prosper of Aquitaine, the best disciple of Augustine, tells of the first Christian mission to Ireland.

Palladius was consecrated by Pope Celestine, and sent as the first Bishop to the Irish believing in Christ

Many people interpret this entry as Palladious being the first canonical Bishop of Ireland. This leads to the belief that four “Palladian bishops” who ministered in the southern part of Ireland (Munster) were the first Christians to settle. The four Bishops are believed to be St Ailbe of Emly, St Ciaran of Saigir, St Abban of Moyarny, and St Declan of Ardmore.

The arrival of Palladius

Its believed St Palladius arrived in Ireland in 431 AD and focused his efforts in the southeastern region of Ireland, particularly in what is now County Wicklow. He established at least three churches, including those at Dunshaughlin (Teach na Romanach), where he was reportedly received by a local king. His mission may have been aimed at areas with existing Christian influence, possibly from contact with Roman Britain.

Palladius' impact on the spread of Christianity in Ireland is less documented than St. Patrick's, and his mission seems to have been relatively short-lived. Some traditions suggest he faced resistance and may have left Ireland after a few years, possibly moving to Scotland, where he continued his missionary work among the Picts.

Saint Patrick arrives in Ireland

After Patrick was enslaved in Ireland he escaped and returned to his home in Britain where he became a cleric. He would later return to the northern and western part of Ireland as a Christian Missionary. Although there is no exact date recorded for the arrival of St Patrick in Ireland many estimates it to be approx. 432AD.

Described in the Irish illuminated manuscript, the Book of Armagh, mythologized version of events, is the earliest copy of Saint Patrick's Confessio which describes his dream:

I saw, in a vision in the night, a man whose name was Victoricus coming as it were from Ireland with so many letters they could not be counted. He gave me one of these, and I read the beginning of the letter, the voice of the Irish people. While I was reading out the beginning of the letter, I thought I heard at that moment the voice of those who were beside the wood of Voclut, near the western sea. They called out as it were with one voice: “We beg you, holy boy, to come and walk again among us.” This touched my heart deeply, and I could not read any further; I woke up then. Thanks be to God, after many years the Lord granted them what they were calling for.

Patrick landed on a small island off the coast Skerries coast, now named Inish-Patrick. Near this location, he converted the son of Irish Chieftain, Benignus, to Christianity. It’s believed Patrick founded a monastery on the island which flourished until the invasion of the Vikings.

At Saul, in modern-day County Down, Patrick converted a local pagan Chieftain by the name of Díchu mac Trichim. In return, mac Trichim donated a barn converted into a church as a gift. Patrick continued his mission in Ireland for the next 30 years. He converted many of the local Chieftains who were pagans and also established places of worship.

Converting Pagans to Christianity

Christianity in Ireland developed a distinct character, blending with local customs and traditions. This process of syncretism helped the new religion gain acceptance. For instance, certain pagan sites were repurposed for Christian worship, and Celtic symbols, such as the sun cross, were incorporated into Christian iconography.

Irish monks played a significant role in the development of Insular art, characterized by intricate patterns and designs found in illuminated manuscripts, metalwork, and stone carvings.

The rise of Christianity

By the 6th century, Ireland was predominantly Christian, and Irish missionaries began to travel abroad, spreading Christianity to Scotland, England, and parts of continental Europe. Figures like St. Columba, who founded the monastic community on the island of Iona, were instrumental in these missionary activities. Other important figures to rise from the popularity of Christianity would include St Brigid of Kildare, Saint Enda, St Brendan, and St Finnian of Clonard.

By the 12^th century, the English became involved in Irish affairs after the invasion of the Anglo-Normans. New laws were being introduced to oppress the Irish Catholics. The Crown of Ireland Act 1542 ordered all monasteries in Ireland to be shut down.

Oliver Cromwell’s invasions in 1649 would see the removal of many places of worship. The Cromwellian Act Of Settlement 1652 was introduced to remove the Irish from ownership of land. However, this was reversed by the Act of Explanation passed in 1665 that ordered Cromwellian settlers to give back one-third of the land as a compensation to the Catholics.

In 1669 Rome appointed Oliver Plunkett as Archbishop of Armagh and he started a program of reviving and reorganizing the structures of the Church which had been all but destroyed in Ireland.

Saint Oliver Plunkett

In 1673 more Penal Laws were introduced in Ireland with the Test Act ordering clergy and lay to take Holy Communion in the manner of the Anglican Church. Oliver Plunkett refused to obey the Act and was arrested in 1679, charged with treason, and executed on 1st July 1681 in London. To this day Oliver Plunkett is recognized as an Irish martyr and celebrated as Saint.

After the Flight of the Wild Geese 1691 and conquering of Ireland by William of Orange more stricter anti-catholic penal laws were introducedwhich outlawed the Catholic clergy.

By the 19^th Century, the state of affairs in Ireland was grim with poverty being common and land in the hands of non-Catholics. In 1823 Daniel O’Connell founded the Catholic Associationto fight for full emancipation in a peaceful manner in which he succeeded. Later in the century, the fight for land would turn violent in the land wars.

Christianity today in Ireland

According to the last Census in 2022 Christianity is the predominant religion in Ireland. 69% of the Irish population identify themselves as Catholics and the Church of Ireland being second. It’s still taught and practiced in schools and many Irish families are devoted followers of the Church.

Did you know?

Samhain, which means summers end, was a belief before the rise of Christianity and was a ritual to mark the start of the Gaelic year, although this is debated with historians. It was when Christianity began to increase it was changed to Hallowmac or All Saints day, more commonly known today asHalloween.

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