Unit 3: The Beginings of Christianity and Early Christian Ireland

Gallarus Oratory is a wonderful example of the dry stone corbelling technique. Stones were piled on top of each other, each layer a little closer to the center, and buildings went up without mortar of any kind. Gallarus Oratory is dated somewhere between the 6th and 8th century.

The same sort of corbelling was used to build dwellings. Usually round, the habitations came to be known as beehive huts. The technique is thought to predate Christian times, and some bevieve that it was practiced as late as the 19th century.

The round enclosures you can see in the aerial view of Riasc would be foundations for beehive huts.

Monastic site of Riasc. Left, an aerial view of the escaveted site, thought to be an active monastic site between the 5th and 12th century. Right and below left, ground level views of the site. Below right, a friends stands next to the Riasc stone, to give you some perspective on its size. The Riasc stone started life as an ogham stone and was later embellished with Christian motifs in the La Tene style. (To see a better picture of the Riasc stone, go to http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/cisp/database/stone/reask_1.html and scroll down to the image of a camera and click.)

Glendalough, St. Kevin's Monastary, County Wicklow

Take a virtual tour of this monastic site by visiting

http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~dvess/ids/medieval/glendalough/glendalough.shtml

Additional photos can be found at

http://www.bamjam.net/Ireland/Glenda.html

There are other monsastic sites around Ireland as well. If you're interested, check out Skellig Michael,Kells, Clonmasnoise, Mellifont, Tintern Abbey, Monasterboice, Jerpoint, and Dysert O'Dea. Some are dated later.

Readings and Activities

• Read Moody, chapters 4 and 5, pages 41-66
• Read Titley, Christianity (16-19), Literature and Art (23-28)
• Read Dunne, In Gallarus Oratory (351-352), Confessio (319-320), The Deer’s Cry (320-322), Brigit (323) Columcille (324), The Abbot Helenus (324-325), The Hermit’s Song (325-326), The Pattern at Croaghhpatrick (330-333), Jasconius (372-363).
• Read Arnold, pages 16-35.
• Read The Traveller’s Guide to Sacred Ireland from http://www.gothicimage.co.uk/books/sacredireland1.html
• Read Saint Patrick, St. Brigid, and St. Columcille (electronic reserve)
• Retrieve and read the following articles from UMD’s electronic database:
  Rourke, Grellen D. Skellig Michael. World of Hibernia, vol. 6,
  no. 1 (Summer 2000), page 82.
  Harbison, Peter. Early Irish pilgrim archaeology in the Dingle
  Peninsula. World Archaeology, vol. 26, no. 1, pages 90-103.
• Consult the following useful web sites:
  http://www.castletown.com/brendan.htm
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlkik/ihm/iremaps.htm
  http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~dvess/ids/medieval/glendalough/glendalough.shtml
• For a glimpse of Celtic and early Christian monuments (reproductions), check
  http://www.historicimpressions.com/Irish.htm

Assignments

Answer all of the following five:

1. Consider the Book of Kells and one other reproduction of the Gospels of your choice. When was each written? By whom (if known)? Where? Why? What features make them pecularily Irish? What makes the Book of Kells superior to all the rest?
2. Briefly describe the life and contributions of Ireland's important saints: St. Patrick, St. Bridgit, or St. Colmcille (Columba)
3. Irish monastic life and religious organization were different from their European counterparts. Describe the differences.
4. Review the social and political milieu of the time (found in the previous chapter). Explain "the gradual transition from tribalism to dynastic polity." What role does Christianity play?
5. Note important sites of this unit on your map of Ireland.

Answer two of the following three questions:

1. Compare St. Patrick's Confessio to the anonymously written "Deer's Cry." Some authorities believe St. Patrick wote the "Deer's Cry." What elements do you see that would lead you to (dis)believe that?
2. Search out further information on Glendalough or Skellig Michael or Clonmacnoise. Briefly describe the monastic community you chose.
3. Locate Mt. Brandon on the Dingle Peninsula. Describe the Saint's Road and its significance.