Monastic Sites, are found all over Ireland. These sites are christian heritage sites, acknowledged as saving christianity throughout Europe and the wider world during the medieval period in history. Ireland is known historically as ‘The Land Of Saints & Scholars’ due to how the monks and clergy kept in high regard the christian faith & community. Creating elaborate pictorial painting of the christian scriptures found in the likes of the Book of Kells to the Large Celtic High Crosses.
The photographs found here are some excellent illustrations of the key things you will find on these Monastic sites. From High Crosses, sculpted with the key stories of the Christian scriptures. This was to help with the visual communication of the history of the christian faith, to a highly illiterate people at the time. Known commonly as the Cross of the Scriptures.
From the striking Round Towers, that stored food and acted as a landmark for people to see from miles away. You will find among the ruins of these monastic sites, the Cathedrals of the day, churches, homes etc, scattered around the spiritual hub of the community. They were places of pilgrimage and people traveled form all over ireland and other countries to learn from the Monks & Clergy. They became spiritual cities & town over time.
People have been coming on pilgrimages to these Monastic sites for centuries. These ancient ruins tell the story of a people in need of a loving God and His people. Their encounters & experience of faith was so rich, that they spread the faith world wide, from this small island of Ireland.
You will see in some of the media, what is referred to as ‘The Cross of the Sciptures’ thesis where High Crosses built and sculpted onto these Celtic crosses. You will will notice Old & New Testiment stories. From Adam & Eve, Kane & Able, On one side you will see depicted the Crucifixion of Jesus & on the other His Resurrection account.
The Monastic sites photographed here are from ‘Monasterboice’ in County Louth & ‘Glendalough’ in County Wicklow.