> but there's a common story in Ireland that Christianity came to Ireland late, just before the 'dark ages' in Europe, and that Christian culture and monasterie

> but there's a common story in Ireland that Christianity came to Ireland late, just before the 'dark ages' in Europe, and that Christian culture and monasteries thrived in Ireland, and then Irish monks later carried this learning back into Europe At least we are all taught this sometime as a child, but I've never taken the time to verify it and always assumed it is, let's say, a charitable stretching of the truth. The golden age phallacy, Irish edition. I know that monks did create some beautiful books - the Book of Kells, for example - and art during this era. But did they also preserve much non-Christian (i.e. actually useful) knowledge along with the art and theology?