The passage graves at Newgrange in the Boyne valley and the hill-forts at Navan (Armagh) and Tara (Meath) are relics of these early cultures. They also left behind a tradition of skilled metal work and a religious legacy, which emphasised the importance of nature and the spirit world. Later epics were to refer to one such People as the Tuatha de Danann who were defeated by the Gaels and who withdrew to the underworld to become the “fairy people”. The Celts adopted much of the religion of the earlier inhabitants of the land and through their Druids* many of the ancient rituals of animal, and possibly human sacrifice were maintained. The Druids were more than priests; they were learned men who underwent extensive training and who were often used as judges and political advisors.

The first Christians, strengthened by the mission of Patrick (c.461 AD) were initially vehement opponents of Celtic and pre-Celtic religion. Equally, the Druids opposed the new religion of Christianity. As Christianity became established across the island, however, the Druids accepted a degree of assimilation** and as a result many elements of pagan religion became interwoven into the Celtic church. A striking example is the cult of St. Brigid whose life is based on that of the Celtic goddess Brigantia and whose Feast Day (1st February) falls on one of the major pagan festivals. Possibly in reaction to this dilutionor watering down of the Gospel, many Celtic monks developed a passion for holiness that, at times, descended into a harsh ethos of punitive self-discipline. At the same time, their desire for purity and for intimacy with God in harmony with His creation, Inspired and continues to inspire many.

While Patrick saw himself as a Roman citizen and favoured the Roman method of governing the church through a diocesan*** system, many of the later leaders in the Irish Church were more independently minded and established a thriving Church based on monastic settlements which became centres of learning as well as bases for missionary activity into Britain and Europe.

The organisation of the Irish Church was such that abbots**** were more influential than bishops and charismatic***** figures acted with a degree of freedom which was often lacking in many other parts of the church. Finnian, Columba, Brendan, Ciaran and Columbanus were examples of the scholar-missionary who founded communities of Christians who evangelised and educated the surrounding populations. The “land of saints and scholars” may have an air of romance about it but it was an apt enough description of part of Irish society.

The same independence of spirit that encouraged missionary activity had also a less welcome side to it. At times the enthusiasm and drive of some Irish Church leaders spilled over into jealousy and discord. The dispute between Finnbarr of Moville and Columba is the most obvious example of this. Columba had been Finnbarr’s guest but had secretly copied a Gospel text, which he then wanted to keep. Finnbarr wanted to retain the unauthorised copy. The dispute was judged by King Diarmaid who decreed, “To every cow her calf, to every book its copy”. Columba rejected the ruling and a battle ensued between supporters of the two men in which many were killed. While it is true that Columba was repentant and founded the missionary community at Iona as a direct result of his desire to make amends for his sin, this cannot mask the original aggression and jealousy evident in the story.

* druid - a priest among the ancient Celts of Britain, Gaul and Germany who were pagan earth worshippers.

** assimilate - to make similar or like; to convert into a substance similar to itself, as the body does to food.

*** diocese - the circuit, area or extent of a bishop's jurisdiction.

**** abbot - a male in charge of an abbey (like a monastery or convent). Female – abbess.

***** charisma - personal quality or gift that enables an individual to impress and influence many of his or her fellows.