[caption id="attachment_1446" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Bishop Asicus"][/caption] Above: Picture of Bishop Asicus Kings and princes, indeed, were great patrons of art. Not only did they require jewels, brooches, pins, beautifully wrought swords and daggers for themselves and their friends, but, in Christian times, they presented chalices, bells, crucifixes, shrines and the like to monasteries and churches: the Irish, however, had attained to a great skill in the art of design and the working of metal and various processes of enamelling before the coming of Patrick. ... Read More

[caption id="attachment_1301" align="alignnone" width="349" caption="Brehon Law"][/caption] Above: Brehon Law Document At this period Patrick is said to have sent Muinis to Rome, there to report on the progress of his mission and obtain sacred relics, which would aid him in his work. Being himself credited with three journeys to the Eternal City, the view is widely held that he made this juncture the occasion of one of them. From Aughagower, at any rate, he is traced through Partry, Ballintober, Manulla; thence by Balla, Kiltimagh, ... Read More