Above: Painting of St. Patrick

The sixth and seventh centuries of the Christian era must be regarded as the Golden Age of Ireland. The story of our country during this period is one of the most glorious ages in the history of European Christianity.

• St. Patrick had not been half a century in his grave when the whole island was studded with the monasteries and schools of the new faith.

• The doctrines of Christianity were received by the people with a burst of enthusiasm which has scarcely been equaled in the history of any nation.
  

• Learning became the handmaid of Faith, and art and letters followed rapidly in the train of the churches and monasteries.

• While Science and Sacred Studies were almost extin­guished on the Continent owing to the victorious advance of the Goths and Vandals, and the civilization of the East became the prey of Islam.

• Ireland was the secure abode of European culture. Armagh, Clonard, Durrow, Bangor and Cloninac-noise were at this time the Universities of the West, and the great centres from which the spiritual life was once again to be renewed in Europe.