An exploration of the ascetical theology and praxis of sixth to eighth century Irish monasticism as a radical response to the gospel.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A book in the best tradition of popular history—the untold story of Ireland's role in maintaining Western culture while the Dark Ages settled on Europe. • The perfect St. Patrick's Day gift! Every year millions of Americans celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but they may not be aware of how great an influence St. Patrick was on the subsequent history of civilization. Not only did he bring Christianity to Ireland, he instilled a sense of literacy and learning that would create the conditions that allowed Ireland to become "the isle of saints and scholars"—and thus preserve Western culture while Europe was being overrun by barbarians. In this entertaining and compelling narrative, Thomas Cahill tells the story of how Europe evolved from the classical age of Rome to the medieval era. Without Ireland, the transition could not have taken place. Not only did Irish monks and scribes maintain the very record of Western civilization -- copying manuscripts of Greek and Latin writers, both pagan and Christian, while libraries and learning on the continent were forever lost—they brought their uniquely Irish world-view to the task. As Cahill delightfully illustrates, so much of the liveliness we associate with medieval culture has its roots in Ireland. When the seeds of culture were replanted on the European continent, it was from Ireland that they were germinated. In the tradition of Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror, How The Irish Saved Civilization reconstructs an era that few know about but which is central to understanding our past and our cultural heritage. But it conveys its knowledge with a winking wit that aptly captures the sensibility of the unsung Irish who relaunched civilization.

The monastic sites of early Christian Ireland have always been an attraction to visitors. Now issued in a new edition, this book is intended for use by those who wish to understand the religious and secular life of early Ireland. The authors have used the site remains and historical source material to reconstruct the life of Irish monks and laymen from the fifth to the twelfth centuries. Here the reader will find treatments of the function of monasteries in early Ireland, the daily life of their inhabitants, and the significance of their art and sculpture. The appendices include a county-by-county guide to the most interesting early Christian sites.

"The Early Irish Monastic Schools: A Study of Ireland’s Contribution to Early Medieval Culture" by way of Hugh Graham is a scholarly exploration that unveils the profound effect of Irish monastic faculties at the cultural landscape of early medieval times. Graham, a committed historian, delves into Ireland's rich history to light up the pivotal function played with the aid of these monastic establishments in shaping the intellectual, non-secular, and academic milieu of the era. The book meticulously lines the development of Irish monastic colleges, highlighting their precise contributions to early medieval way of life. Graham's studies encompass the religious teachings, scholarly interests, and cultural innovations that emerged from those colleges, showcasing Ireland's widespread position inside the broader European medieval context. As Graham unfolds the narrative, readers are immersed in a global where Irish monastic schools become centers of gaining knowledge of, fostering a colourful highbrow culture. The author's meticulous look at sheds mild on the scholars, manuscripts, and academic methods that emanated from these institutions, showcasing Ireland's enduring legacy within the nation-states of theology, literature, and training.