Above : Portion of Illuminated Monogram. Book Of Kells

It is, as Dr. Healy notes, an interesting fact that we should find an Irish monk, in the begin­ning of the ninth century, collating and criticising the various works on geography that had been written by the best known Latin writers who had preceded him in treating of the subject. The in­formation which he gives us, derived from his own personal knowledge, or gathered from the narra­tions of his countrymen, is also valuable as proving how far the Irish monks travelled in their mis­sionary efforts.

Another Irish scholar who gained distinction as mentator on scripture. A Greek psalter written by him which has been preserved at Montfancon shows his acquitance with the Greek language. He was also an accomplished Latin Poet, and in his writings on Sacred Scriptures shows a wonderful knowledge of the writings of the Fathers of the Church. A treatise on Politics written by him was discovered some time ago in the Vatican library and published by Cardinal Mai. He is said, in addition, to have written grammatical commentaries ou Priscian and Donatus, which were used in the Irish schools.