ABSTRACT
The Old Irish hymn attributed to Patrick starts with a declaration of faith in the power of the Trinity, and in Christ’s baptism, crucifixion, resurrection and reign. The Christian church had in many ways been fortunate in its reception by the Irish. Latin learning had been a new technique with which Irishmen could grapple; the Scriptures provided a vast new field of study. Irish teachers were well aware that the preaching and practice of self-denial and charity is not necessarily the same thing. Christian teaching was being disseminated at various levels during the seventh and eighth centuries, and in spite of defects it was having some influence on the ethic and institutions of Irish society. The church was able; in the first place, to benefit from the native law of precinct, for each Irish lord had an inviolable area surrounding his house, its size depending upon the owner’s rank.
