Monasteries in Ireland became centers of learning and education from "summary" of How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from by Thomas Cahill
In ancient Ireland, monasteries played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting knowledge during a time when much of the Western world was plunged into darkness. These monastic communities became beacons of learning and education, attracting scholars from all over Europe to study and exchange ideas. The monks living in these monasteries were not just religious figures but also dedicated scholars who copied manuscripts, transcribed texts, and engaged in scholarly pursuits. They meticulously copied and preserved classical works of literature, philosophy, and science that would have otherwise been lost to history. One of the most famous of these monasteries was the Abbey of Clonmacnoise, where monks diligently worked to transcribe and preserve ancient texts. These manuscripts not only included religious texts but also secular works, such as the writings of Plato and Aristotle, that were instrumental in shaping Western thought. The monks in these monasteries were not content with just copying texts - they also engaged in intellectual pursuits, such as debating and discussing the ideas they encountered. This intellectual environment fostered a culture of learning and inquiry that was unparalleled in Europe at the time. The knowledge preserved and cultivated in these Irish monasteries would later form the foundation of the Carolingian Renaissance in Europe. Scholars and scribes from Ireland traveled to continental Europe, bringing with them the wealth of knowledge they had acquired, which would go on to influence the course of Western civilization.- The monasteries in Ireland became centers of learning and education that played a vital role in preserving and transmitting the intellectual heritage of the ancient world. Without their dedication and scholarship, many of the works that form the basis of Western thought today may have been lost forever.
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