The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-09-17
The Golden Age of Learning in Ire
land Extended From Sixth
to Ninth Century.
Remarkable Generosity and Hospi-
tality characteristics of Early
Schools.
Armagh Was Center of Learning,
With Latin and Irish the
Chief Studies.

The foundation of the National Uni
and the stir that it's opening
has made in educational circles, nat
urally sets one thinking about the rec
ord of learning and about university
life in the past in Ireland, says B. Nor
man in the Dublin Independent. A
proud and glorious record it is, and
it's forced decline has no more shame
full parallel in the history of the world.
All readers of Irish history know the
passion for learning that has existed
in Ireland from the earliest times and
the royal honors that were paid to the
scholar by the Irish chiefs-in the old
chronicles the latter were called "The
Tree Of the Learned" But
it is with early Christian ireland uni
versity life is associated.
IreIand's Golden Age of Learning.
The golden age of Irish learning was
from the sixth to the ninth century,
but even in the fifth century there We're
great schools of Irish learning, notably
those at Emily, Armagh, Ardagh and
Sletty. The sixth century can boast
of seven vast and remarkable univer-
stiles as those of C1anmacnoise, Lins-
more, Clonard and Bangor. The great
est of Irelands scholars and saints
went forth from these places.
Students attracted by the reputation
Of the ireland of Saints and Schol-
ars," flocked from all parts of Europe
to these seats of learning, King Alfred
Of Northumbria among the rest.
Indeed, the Saxon chroniclers, usual
ly so churlish about giving praise to
Ireland, write in the most exalted
terms Of praise about the learning Of
our country in these early times. AID
helm describes Ireland as "rich in the
wealth of science, and as thickly set
with learned men as the poles are with
stars" The Saxons should be particu-
larly grateful to Ireland, as her univer-
stiles taught the sons of England with
out fee or reward. The Emperor
Charlemagne later showed his appre-
citation Of Irish learning by appointing
Claud Clemens and John Albin over the
two universities which he founded at
Paris and Pavia.
cIonard and CIonmacnoise Produced
Many Learned Mon.
Clonard and Clonmacnoise were per-
haps the most interesting of the old
Irish universities, as their names are
associated with such extraordinary
holiness and learning as Colmcille,
Ciernan and Finnian. Finnian was
called "the teacher OF the Saints of
Ireland" because so many boys who
afterwards became saints were taught
by him. The great Colmcille was his
pupil whose name is ever beloved in
Ireland, and whose reputation is spread
Irish schools was very different from
our modern ideas about university life
Hard mental study, much prayer and
manual labor was expected from all
the pupils. At Clonard rule existed
that the scholars should by turns grind
the corn with a gueran.
There were, of course, no large build
ings or class rooms in those ancient
institutions. A tiny stone church was
the center Of many groups of other lit
tie stone buildings or cells. Often the
students built these themselves and
where wood was plentiful they used i,
instead of stone. Comfort was not
valued by the students, and many went
through great hardships journeyine
from afar to come to these seats Of
learning. Extraordinary generosity and
hospitality we're characteristics Of
these early schools. No student waf
asked for money for his schooling, and
If he were needy food and clothes were
given him. He could stay as long a,
he liked, the only return asked of hin
was that he took his share Of the daily
work.
Armagh Sheltered Three Thousans
Students at One Time.
At the present day no trace of th'
great University fof cionard remain