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As you probably know if you read my blog and/or have read my books, I’m keenly interested in the early Christian period in Ireland. I have a growing interest in learning more about that time period in the other Celtic countries as well.
According to Celtic Britain and Ireland, The Myth of the Dark Ages, by Lloyd & Jennifer Laing, Irish Academic Press, 1990, the study of the early Irish Christians did not begin in earnest until the 18th century. When you consider that St. Patrick came to Ireland near the turn of the 5th century, much historical data was probably lost. That’s why I found the early Christian period a fascinating time in which to set fiction. It’s history told orally and through folktales.
In the early 19th century, Ireland’s primary historian was Sir George Petrie, who was also a painter. He made some historical drawings that have preserved some of Ireland’s history for us today. There are some books out there with his drawings, like this one. Austin Cooper also made drawings that preserved some of Ireland’s history.
I have a copy of this book.
Another illustrator from the 19th century was George Victor Du Noyer.
The Rock of Cashel above drawn by Du Noyer and below what it looks like today. There are no village houses below, the rocks surrounding it have been improved, and it seems that the round tower is missing but that’s just a different angle because there is a round tower and it’s the oldest structure on the site dating to the 12th century. It’s interesting to see another photo taken in 1970 before the restoration. Scroll down.
There are many other examples that show why the sketches these men did in the 19th century are so valuable today. I need to write another post on that!
In their book, the Laings say: “It is not improbable that the considerable upsurge of interest in Early Christian Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century was the outcome of two trends–a growing national feeling and an interest in medieval antiquities…”
For whatever reason, much of what we know of Irish history comes out of that time and the work of Victorian-era historians. That’s probably too broad of a statement. Archeology is bringing more to light all the time and some of what the old histories tell us has to be reexamined. But I’m always reminding myself that just because an old book says it, doesn’t necessarily make it true. Even the belief that the Irish today are descended from the Celts is questionable. (That’s a whole other topic!)
History is not set in stone, so it seems. At least not the history that is written by people. That’s what makes the study so interesting, in my opinion. What do you think?
