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Historically, Ireland's culture has been distinct from other regional cultures, as it was one of the only [[Celtic]] territories never conquered by the [[Roman Empire]].

Historically, Ireland's culture has been distinct from other regional cultures, as it was one of the only [[Celtic]] territories never conquered by the [[Roman Empire]].

Its people had an [[Iron Age]] culture at the time of Roman rule in Britain.  They had no proper towns, and mainly lived in 'raths' (small fortified farmsteads) though there were larger hillforts.  They were [[heathens]] worshipping  a number of [[Celtic]] deities, including the Dagda (good god).  The [[Druids]] were their priests and law-speakers, and knwew some science and medicine.

Its people had an [[Iron Age]] culture at the time of Roman rule in Britain.  They had no proper towns, and mainly lived in 'raths' (small fortified farmsteads) though there were larger hillforts.  They were [[heathens]] worshipping  a number of [[Celtic]] deities, including the Dagda ('good god').  The [[Druid]]s were their priests and law-speakers, and knwew some science and medicine.

Patrick (Latin 'Patricius') was a Romanised [[Briton]] captured by Irish raiders, who escaped from slavery in Ireland and felt called by God to return and evangelise the Irish, this being in the 5th century AD.  He did not do this work alone, but he wrote a kind of autobiography (‘Confessio’) so we know a lot about his life and work.

Patrick (Latin 'Patricius') was a Romanised [[Briton]] captured by Irish raiders, who escaped from slavery in Ireland and felt called by God to return and evangelise the Irish, this being in the 5th century AD.  He did not do this work alone, but he wrote a kind of autobiography (‘Confessio’) so we know a lot about his life and work.