A Monk in Early Christian Ireland

A monk lived in a monastery throughout his lifetime. It was usually a quiet place for peace and scenery. Monks needed a quite place to pray in peace and didn’t like to be disturbed. They did not like to be disturbed. Their clothing worn daily was called a habit, usually black or brown. Their hair was cut into a tonsure style.

They started their monk training at the age of 16, at this stage he was called a novice. The head of a monastery is called the abbot. A monk had to make solemn promises called vows, examples vows are vows of poverty, obedience and chastity, etc.

As a monk you had no money or possessions of your own. All that was yours was everyone’s.

A typical day began before daybreak. Their life consisted of praying and working. Every monk had their own special job to do. Some were stone-carvers, goldsmiths, farmers, etc. some monks worked as scribes. They wrote books and each had their unique styles. They created beautiful manuscripts and produced many famous manuscripts such as the “Book of Kells”.

In typical monasteries – the tallest building was the church. Monks lived close to the church to save them selves a long journey every day. The monks lived in small stone bee-hive cells. The monastery was surrounded be a stone wall for protection against the invaders such as Vikings.

The monks needed somewhere to hide during raids and attacks. So they built a tall building called a round tower. This was the tallest build to provide protection. Monks hid in the round tower during attacks. The ladder reached to the top of the tower, there is a small passage that u could clime through. As soon as all were inside the ladder would be pulled in and they waited until the invaders left. They brought precious items such as gold chalices and crosses etc.

Not all monks stayed in Ireland. Colmcille and others went abroad to spread Christianity. These monks going abroad were called missionaries. Special schools and monasteries were created all over Europe.