Includes bibliographical references (pages 354-357) and index.
pt. 1. The sources. Prehistoric Ireland -- Pagan Ireland: the people -- Pagan Ireland: the religion -- Christianity on the continent -- pt. 2. The saints. St. Patrick -- The innovators: St. Enda, St. Finian and St. Brigid -- The founders of the monasteries -- The travellers: St. Brendan the Navigator -- The travellers: St. Columba of Iona -- The travellers: St. Columbanus of Luxeuil -- pt. 3. The breakdown. The Viking invasions -- The Ango-Norman invasion -- pt. 4. The flowering. Education -- The poets -- The scholars -- Art in stone -- Art in metal and the illuminated gospels.