Beginning of Essay
Thomas Cahill opens his story describing Rome's fall, “For as the Roman Empire fell, as all through Europe matted, unwashed barbarians descended on the Roman cities, looting artifacts and burning books, the Irish who were just learning to read and write, took u ....

Middle of Essay
.... the anguish of each individual.” (Cahill, p. 115) Patrick, the slave turned Christian, escapes only to return to convert the Irish. He was the first missionary to the barbarians beyond Greco-Roman law “who looked into the hearts of others.” (Cahill, p. 115) Cahill notes Ireland is the only land where Christianity is introduced without violence - there were no murdered Irish martyrs. (Cahill, p. 151) He discusses the growth of monasteries in Ireland and their eventual spread to Iona and beyond by Columcille and his “White Martyr” followers. (Cahill, pp. 171- 184) Growth continues as Columbanus establishes the first Italo-Irish mo ....