With the Christianization of Ireland by St. Patrick from 432-493, monasticism spread quickly in Ireland, Wales and Scotland. It appealed to a warrior people now attracted by the struggle within by ascetic practices and penance. Saint Enda (c. 460-530) began organized monasticism in Ireland.

Here are the remains of Clonmacnoise, a famous monastic site founded by St. Ciarán in 547 AD. It was suppressed and destroyed in 1552 by Henry VIII.

Early monasteries took the form of villages surrounded by a ditch and earthen ramparts. The buildings were made of wood or of wattle and thatch. In them were a number of huts and wooden dwelling were the "monks" men, women, married people, priests and even bishops lived. In the early years, prayer services were held in the open like the Druids did, only later a church building was added. Other building included workshops, infirmaries, kitchens, refectories, schoolrooms, and guesthouses.

These monasteries were headed by abbots and abbesses and had no written rule. We do not know the details of the monk's daily life but in general it meant lot of hard physical work, scholarship and prayer. We have tended to emphasize obedience, loyalty and submission but the Celtic character placed more value on courage, strength, outspokenness and decisiveness. From these monastic centers, monks went out to preach the gospels to pagan tribes since the parish structure, as we know it, did not exist. They also became centers of trade due to their locations.

The Celtic Monks were inclined to study and learning with a desire to spread the faith. In time these monastic centers with their scriptoria became responsible for copying the mythology art form of the Celts, copying scripture and the ancient classics. The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript produced in the beginning of the 9th century most likely in the monastery at Iona. It contains the four Gospels in Latin and is most beautifully decorated. David Schwarts has well written, "In its taste and delicacy, in its originality, and in its elaborations of coloring and design, the BOOK OF KELLS must be placed among the wonders of the world." The Irish monastery school took in young children and taught by using the Gospels, Psalms and classical Latin poets produced by the scriptoria. In time "Monastic schools attracted many students from abroad. The quality of education that was available in Ireland was high in comparison with what was available elsewhere at that time. Latin was taught in all monasteries ... and many could write fluent Latin."

St. Columcille