INFLUENCE OF CLONARD MONASTERY:
About the middle of the sixth century a great monastic movement took rise from the monastery established at Clonard by Finnian c. 525 A.D.[93] Under him were trained for missionary work many of the most illustrious fathers of the Irish church including the “Twelve Apostles of Erin,”[94] viz. Ciaran of Seir, Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, Columba (Colum Cille), Brendan of Clonfert, Brendan of Birr, Columba or Colman of Terryglass, Molaise of Devenish, Canice of Aghaboe, Ruadan of Lorrha, Mobi of Glasnevin, Sinnel of Cleenish, and Ninnidh or Nennius of Inishmacsaint.[95] According to another authority, the names of Finnian of Clonard, Finnian of Movilla, and Comgall of Bangor are substituted for those of Ciaran of Seir, Molaise of Devenish, and Sinnel of Cleenish.[96] The remaining nine names occur in both lists. These men going forth in all directions founded numerous monasteries and schools which afterwards became famous throughout Europe.[97] St. Columba (Colum Cille) styled in an old record “Monasteriorum Pater et Fundator” is said to have founded 300 monasteries. Even allowing for the poetic imagination of the early chronicler, it is significant that Reeves in his investigations was able to compile a list of at least 90 monasteries founded by, or dedicated to, this saint. Of this number 37 were located in Ireland, 32 amongst the Scots (of Alba) and 21 amongst the Picts, i.e. 53 in the country now called Scotland.[98] It was mainly through the efforts of these saints that Ireland was completely converted to the Christian faith.[99] It would appear that after St. Patrick’s death the druids recovered some of their former influence and exerted themselves to the utmost to retard and limit the spread of the new faith.[100] Thanks to the zeal and energy of the saints of this Second Order the influence of the druids was completely broken down, though the druids still lingered on obscurely and feebly many generations.[101]
When monasticism became general in the sixth century most, if not all, of those ecclesiastical seminaries which we have listed as being founded in the fifth century, became monastic schools. Some of them such as the School of Armagh attained a high degree of excellence ranking with Clonard, Bangor, and the other great schools which date from the sixth century. We give a list of the better-known monastic schools which were founded during the sixth and seventh centuries, the most famous being printed in CAPITALS. These schools were all established in Ireland by Irishmen, who, as far as we have been able to discover, received their own education for the most part in schools already in existence in Ireland. This list makes no pretence to completeness. According to the calculations of Sir James Ware the number of famous schools in Ireland amounted to 164.[102] Another writer[103] gives the names of 168 monasteries founded prior to 900 A.D. Even this list is incomplete. We have checked this latter list for Co. Louth with one compiled by a recent reliable investigator[104] with the result that 19 or 20 should be credited to Co. Louth whereas there are only 2 out of the 168 so accredited. Similarly, we find only 4 monasteries ascribed to St. Columba while, as we have shown, Reeves found 37 monasteries in Ireland whose foundation is accredited to this energetic saint. As we have reason to believe that all these monasteries had schools, we can easily see how abundant were the facilities for acquiring such an education as these schools provided.
MONASTIC SCHOOLS FOUNDED IN IRELAND
BETWEEN 500 AND 700 A.D.
| SCHOOL | DATE | LOCATION | FOUNDER |
| Aghaboe[1a] | —[1b] | Co. Kilkenny | St. Canice, 528–600
A.D.[1c] |
| BANGOR[2a] | 559 A.D.[2b] | Co. Down | St. Comgall d. 601–2 A.D.[2c] |
| Birr[3a] | c. 560 A.D.[3b] | King’s Co. | St. Brendan of Birr[3c] ? 490–573 A.D. |
| Cleenich[4a] | 6th cent.[4b] | Co. Fermanagh | St. Sinnel[4c] |
| Clogher[5a] | —[5b] | Co. Tyrone | St. Macartin, c. 506 A.D.[5c] |
| CLONARD[6a] | c. 520 A.D.[6b] | Co. Meath | St. Finnian, 470–549 A.D.[6c] |
| Clonenagh[7a] | c. 548 A.D.[7b] | Queen’s Co. | St. Fintan, 525–592 A.D.[7c] |
| Clonfert[8a] | 553–7 A.D.[8b] | Co. Galway | St. Brendan the Navigator[8c] 484–577 A.D. |
| Cork[9a] | —[9b] | Co. Cork | St. Finnbar, 570–630
A.D.[9c] |
| CLONMACNOISE[10a] | 544–8 A.D.[10b] | King’s Co. | St. Ciaran, d. 549 A.D.[10c] |
| Cluainfois[11a] | c. 500 A.D.[11b] | Co. Galway | St. Iarlaith, c ? 510 A.D.[11c] |
| Devenish[12a] | 530 A.D.[12b] | Co. Fermanagh | St. Molaise,
d. 563–71 A.D.[12c] |
| Derry[13a] | 545–6 A.D.[13b] | Co. Derry | St. Columba, 520–597 A.D.[13c] |
| Dromore[14a] | c. 500 A.D.[14b] | Co. Down | St. Colman[14c] |
| Durrow[15a] | 553 A.D.[15b] | King’s Co. | St. Columba, 520–597 A.D.[15c] |
| Glasnevin[16a] | —[16b] | Co. Dublin | St. Mobi, d. 544 A.D.[16c] |
| Glendalough[17a] | —[17b] | Co. Wicklow | St. Kevin, d 618–22 A.D.[17c] |
| Inishmacsaint[18a] | —[18b] | Co. Fermanagh | St. Ninnidh, d. post 530 A.D.[18c] |
| Kells[19a] | 550 A.D.[19b] | Co. Meath | St.Columba, 520–597 A.D.[19c] |
| Kilkenny[20a] | —[20b] | Co. Kilkenny | St. Canice, 528–600 A.D.[20c] |
| LISMORE[21a] | 635 A.D.[21b] | Co. Waterford | St. Carthach[21c] |
| MONASTERBOICE[22a] | c. 500 A.D.[22b] | Co. Louth | St. Buite, c. 521 A.D.[22c] |
| Mayo[23a] | 655 A.D.[23b] | Co. Mayo | St. Colman[23c] |
| Movilla[24a] | 540–55 A.D.[24b] | Co. Down | St. Finnian[24c] |
| MUNGRET[25a] | c. 551 A.D.[25b] | Co. Limerick | St. Nessan, d. 551 A.D.[25c] |
| Ros-Ailithir[26a] | 6th cent.[26b] | Co. Cork | St. Fachtna[26c] |
| Swords[27a] | —[27b] | Co. Dublin | St.Columba, 520–597 A.D.[27c] |
| Scattery Is.[28a] | c. 537 A.D.[28b] | Co. Clare | St. Senan[28c] |
| Terryglass[29a] | 634 A.D.[29b] | Co. Tipperary | St. Colman of Terriglass[29c] |
| Tuam[30a] | —[30b] | Co. Galway | St. Iarlaith, c. 545 A.D.[30c] |
[1a]. Warren, F. E., op. cit. pp. 14, 15. [1b]. Unknown. [1c]. Conyngham, D. P., op. cit. p. 268. ibid. Joyce, P. W. Short History of Ireland, p. 180, gives (517–600).
[2a]. Plummer, Charles, op. cit. I, p. lxxix. [2b]. Joyce, P. W., Concise History of Ireland, p. 82. [2c]. Revue Celtique, XXX, p. 113.
[3a], [3b], [3c]. Plummer, C., op. cit. I, xlii.
[4a], [4b], [4c]. Conyngham, D. P., op. cit. p. 541.
[5a], [5b]. Conyngham, D. P., op. cit. p. 541. [5c]. op. cit. p. 132.
[6a], [6b], [6c]. Joyce, P. W., Con. Hist. of Ir., p. 92.
[7a], [7b], [7c]. Healy, John, Ireland’s Ancient Schools and Scholars, p. 404, but Plummer, C., op. cit. I, lxx, gives 603 A.D. as the date of St. Fintan’s death.
[8a], [8b], [8c]. Plummer, C., op. cit. p. I, xxiv.
[9a], [9b], [9c]. Joyce, P. W., Con. Hist, of Ir., p. 92; Conyngham, D. P., op. cit. p. 329.
[10a]. Plummer, C., op. cit. I, p. lxiv. [10b]. Chronicles give no date, ibid. [10c]. Dalton, Canon, Hist. of Ireland, I, 71.
[11a], [11b], [11c]. Healy, John, op. cit. p. 160.
[12a], [12b], [12c]. Plummer, C., op. cit. I, p. lxxiv.
[13a], [13b], [13c]. Hull, Eleanor, Early Christian Ireland, Chronological Table; Dalton, Canon, op. cit. I, p. 62.
[14a], [14b], [14c]. Reeves, Wm., Ecclesiastical Antiquities, p. 138.
[15a], [15b], [15c]. Reeves, Wm., Adamnan’s Vita Columbae, p. 276; Warren, F. E., op. cit. pp. 14, 15.
[16a], [16b], [16c]. Warren, F. E., op. cit. pp. 14, 15.
[17a], [17b], [17c]. Plummer, C., op. cit. I, p. xxxiii; Joyce, P. W., Concise History of Ireland, p. 92.
[18a], [18b], [18c]. Warren, F. E., op. cit. pp. 14, 15; Conyngham, D. P., op. cit. p. 541.
[19a], [19b], [19c]. Reeves, Wm., Adamnan, p. 276.
[20a], [20b], [20c]. Plummer, C., op. cit. I, p. lxxix; Joyce, P. W., op. cit. p. 92.
[21a], [21b], [21c]. Joyce, P. W., op. cit. p. 81; Dalton, op. cit. I, p. 74.
[22a], [22b], [22c]. Macalister, R. A. S., Muiredach, Abbot of Monasterboice. Introduction, Murray, L. P., op. cit.
[23a], [23b], [23c]. Chronicon Scottorum, p. 104; Conyngham, D. P., op. cit. p. 543.
[24a], [24b], [24c]. Reeves, Wm., Ecclesiastical Antiquities, p. 138.
[25a], [25b], [25c]. Joyce, P. W., Concise Hist. of Ireland, p. 92.
[26a], [26b], [26c]. Joyce, P. W., ibid.; Conyngham, D. P., op. cit. p. 541.
[27a], [27b], [27c]. Reeves, Wm., Adamnan, p. 279.
[28a], [28b], [28c]. Joyce, P. W., op. cit. p. 81.
[29a], [29b], [29c]. Warren, F. E., op. cit. pp. 14, 15; Conyngham, D. P., op. cit. p. 542.
[30a], [30c]. Healy, John, op. cit. p. 160. [30b]. Date of the foundation is uncertain. Conyngham, D. P., op. cit. p. 543 states that it was founded in the Fifth Century.
EDUCATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION
OF THE IRISH CHURCH.
From what has been said about the spread of monasticism in Ireland in the sixth century it is evident that the whole organization of the Church in Ireland was being placed on a monastic basis. The importance of this type of organization from an educational standpoint will be evident when we recall the actual condition of society at this particular period. Closely related to the monastic character of the Irish Church was its missionary character. How far reaching the influence of the Irish Monastic Church was, can be judged from a brief survey of the distribution of Irish monasteries in Britain and on the Continent. A list of 122 monasteries founded by Irish monks in Scotland, in England and on the Continent was collected by Colgan in a lost work of which the index has been preserved and printed.[105] Another writer has shown that Ireland sent 115 missionaries into Germany, 45 into France, 44 into England, 36 into Belgium, 25 into Scotland and 13 into Italy.[106] According to the testimony of Jonas, biographer of Columbanus, about 620 missionaries went into Bavaria from Luxeuil, the headquarters of the missionary work of Columbanus. No doubt, some of these were natives of Gaul, but there must have been many Irish amongst them. Miss Stokes gives the names of 63 missionaries who in the seventh century spread the Columban Rule from Luxeuil.[107] In the light of these facts we see how just is the judgment of Green, the English historian, when he declared that as the Irish Church overflowed its own territorial limits and invaded the Continent of Europe, it was for a time doubtful whether the monastic ideal of Christendom would come from a Celtic or from an Italian source, whether it would be represented by the Rules of SS. Columba and Columbanus, or that of St. Benedict.[108]
IMPOSSIBILITY OF COMPILING A COMPLETE LIST
OF MONASTIC SCHOOLS AND SCHOLARS:
The number of monastic schools and scholars given in the preceding section though at first sight somewhat startling is really an under-estimate. This assertion is based on the following considerations:—
1. The desire which prevailed in the early centuries of Christianity to imitate even the accidental features of the Apostolic system naturally suggested the adoption of the number twelve in the adjustment of missionary societies. Thus we find it recorded that in Clonard the “Twelve Apostles of Erin” were educated. St. Columba set out about 562 A.D. with twelve companions to convert the Picts. St. Columbanus with twelve brethren left Ireland about 612 to undertake his great missionary work on the Continent. St. Killian was the chief of a company of twelve who founded a monastic institution in Würzburg. St. Eloquius, disciple of St. Fursa, with twelve companions whose names are preserved, propagated the Gospel in Belgium.[109] Thus except in the case of the founders of monasteries there is a very natural tendency to overlook the other workers, sometimes their names are not even recorded.
2. During the Danish incursions of the ninth and tenth centuries many of the Irish monasteries were destroyed and the monks went to Europe and set up monasteries wherever they settled. Sometimes they carried their books with them, but more frequently their libraries were burned or “drowned” by the pagan invaders who hated Christianity and learning, thus the Irish Annals and other documents are very defective as a means of supplying the necessary data for the compilation of a tolerably complete list.[110]
3. Even when the names of Irish missionaries are recorded in Continental MSS. there is often a difficulty in recognising an Irish name in its Continental dress. Many of the Irish monks who went abroad were “re-christened,” sometimes Biblical names like Joseph or Isaias were adopted, or the Irish name was latinized to make it more euphonious to Continental ears. Hence we find Moengal figuring as Marcellus, just as Maelmuire appears as Marianus and Mylerius, Maelmeadhog as Malachy, Giolla Iosa and even Cellach become Gelasius, Giolla an Coimded figures as Germanus, Tuathal as Tutilo, Domnall or Donal as Donatus, Aed as Aidan and Hugh, Siadhal as Sedulius, Cellach sometimes became Gall, while others chose to remain anonymous or describe themselves vaguely as Exul, or Hibernicus, or Scottus. In the Continental libraries there are many MSS. in Irish script and the scribes have concealed their identity in the vague manner just described.[111]
4. Naturally there were many others whose work was teaching rather than writing, consequently there is no record in such cases. Columba and Columbanus were lucky in having biographers but many others were less fortunate.