Above : One Of Church In Ireland

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.”

Above: Saint Patrick

It is commonly supposed that the druidic religion prevailed in pagan Ireland; but we know very little of the nature and ceremonials of this Irish druidism. In the oldest Irish traditions the druids figure con- spicuously. All the early colonists had their druids, who are mentioned as holding high rank among kings and chiefs. They are often called men of science to indicate their superior knowledge. Many worshipped idols of some kind: some worshipped water; some, fire; some, the sun.