Above: St. Laurence O’Toole

In the early part of this period the condition of the Church, and the state of religion generally present a sad contrast to the glories of the period before the coming of the Norsemen. The continued warfare had played havoc with the Church, and had, to a great extent, demoralised the people. The persistent manner in which the Norse had singled out churches and monasteries for their attacks had left many of the sanctuaries deserted, and many districts deprived of the exercise of religion. Not a few of the Irish chiefs, unfortunately, followed the example of the invaders, and displayed the loss of the old reverence by frequent attacks on some of the most venerated monasteries, by appropriating the church lands, and by claiming the right, frequently asserted by force, of imposing their own nominees upon Church offices. The corruption of manners is also illustrated by frequent breaches of faith and acts of cruelty.