Above : Picture of St Patrick Banishing Snakes

The wonderful success of St. Patrick’s mission was not more remarkable than the great outburst of religious zeal which followed it, and which continued for centuries. Easy as had been the conversion of Ireland, it was profound. St. Patrick was immediately followed by many disciples of noble sanctity and pious fervour, and these again were succeeded by numerous others, who devoted their lives to religion and learning. During the three centuries after Patrick’s death the history of the country is mainly devoted to the records of spiritual and intellectual work—for upon such work were the energies of the Irish people almost entirely poured forth during that period. It was the era in which Ireland won the title of ” Insula Sanctorum et Doctorum.”

During that period Christianity and civilisation were nearly swept out of Europe. The barbarian tribes had finally destroyed the Empire of Rome (a.d. 476), and settled upon its territories, each tribe under its own petty chief. Ignorance reigned over most of Western Europe. It was in Ireland that the torch of learning was kept alive. Ireland was ” the intellectual head of Europe ” : ” Armagh was the Metropolis of Civilisation.”

We have seen that the Church in Ireland was always monastic in tendency—that is, the clergy lived in communities under settled rules. This was the case with the clergy who ministered to the ordinary spiritual needs of the people. It was in similar fashion that the great schools were mostly founded, A famous saint would retire to a secluded spot. He would be followed by some to profit by his example and teaching, and these would form the monks of his monastery. Soon, perhaps, the fame of his learning would attract a number of students, and a great school would be established. The old writers speak of three Orders of Irish Saints : the first, those who succeeded St. Patrick, and continued his missionary work ; the second, those who lived in communities of monasteries and schools ; the third, those who lived the mortified lives of hermits in remote and desert places. Most of the famous saints, however, were connected with the great schools of Ireland.