Mayo Historical and Archaeological Society
Prof. Daibhi O Croinin to lecture in Castlebar.
By MHAS
10, Feb 2011 - 09:04

Mayo Historical & Archaeological Society.
'Did The Irish Save Civilisation? -The Real Irish Contribution to the Formation of European Culture in the Early Middle Ages'. 
The above is the title of an illustrated lecture to be

Prof. Daibhi O Croinin, History Dept., NUI Galway.

presented to the Mayo Historical & Archaeological Society by Professor Daibhi O Croinin,  History Dept., NUI Galway, on Wednesday,  February 23rd at 8 pm. The venue for the lecture is the Michael Davitt Room, at the GMIT Campus, Westport Road, Castlebar.
A great deal that has been written about Irish culture in the period ad 600-850 has been touched by the Romantic views of the 19th century, which saw Ireland as a lone beacon of knowledge shining out during Europe's 'Dark Ages'. That view has been most recently expounded in the book by Thomas Cahill, ‘How Ireland saved civilization' (1995), which proposed to demonstrate how 'the great heritage of western civilization ... would have been utterly lost were it not for the holy men and women of the unconquered Ireland.
The Thomas Cahill book, was an international best-seller and sold in the millions. Prof. Daibhi O Croinin asks what was the fuss all about? Was it really true, that the Irish saved civilisation after the Fall of the Roman Empire? Or was the book just another example of Irish (American) blarney?
Prof. O Croinin is  internationally acclaimed for his study of ancient Irish Manuscripts and  has travelled extensively to examine many examples which have found their way to monasteries, universities, and libraries throughout continental Europe. He is the author of several books and has contributed to many television programs where his expert academic opinion is much valued. He is currently featured on the RTE/BBC co-production, ‘The Story of Ireland' broadcast on RTE 1, on Tuesday nights.
This lecture promises to be a most interesting and entertaining event and the society is pleased to welcome its distinguished guest
All are welcome.