The Irish monasteries served as libraries and schools for the community from "summary" of How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from by Thomas Cahill
In the early Middle Ages, as the Roman Empire crumbled and the Dark Ages descended over Europe, Ireland stood out as a beacon of light and learning. The Irish monks, living in isolated monasteries scattered across the countryside, played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting the knowledge of the classical world. They were not just monks, but scholars, scribes, and teachers, dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and the preservation of civilization. The monasteries of Ireland were not merely places of prayer and contemplation; they were also centers of education and culture. The monks living there spent their days copying manuscripts, studying the works of ancient writers, and teaching the local population. They collected and preserved the writings of Greek and Roman authors, ensuring that they would not be lost to future generations. These monasteries were not just repositories of knowledge; they were also schools for the community. The monks taught not only theology and philosophy but also practical subjects like agriculture, medicine, and craftsmanship. The monasteries became hubs of intellectual activity, attracting scholars and students from far and wide. The Irish monks were not content to simply copy and preserve the works of the past; they also made valuable contributions of their own. They produced beautiful illuminated manuscripts, adding their own artistic flair to the texts they copied. They also wrote original works on a wide range of subjects, from history to poetry to theology. Through their efforts, the Irish monks helped to save the knowledge of the ancient world from being lost forever. They laid the foundation for the Carolingian Renaissance and the revival of learning in Europe. Without their dedication and scholarship, much of the wisdom of the past would have been lost to us today. The Irish monasteries served as beacons of light in a dark age, preserving and transmitting the knowledge that would eventually help to shape the course of Western civilization.
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