Irish Cultural Center
1106 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-258-0109 www.azirish.org

AN IACI PRESENTATION

"Stories from a Sacred Landscape:
From pagan country to Christian Ireland"
by
Caimin O'Brien

Fri., Mar 30, 2007

7:30 PM _____$8

Mr. Caimin O'Brien, an archeologist with the Irish Government (Department of Environment, Heritage, and Local Government) will speak at the Irish Cultural Center, 1102 North Central Avenue in Phoenix. Mr. O'Brien is a Trinity College graduate.

In his slide presentation and lecture, Mr. O'Brien covers the family background, social status, and roles of saints, such as St. Patrick, St. Columcille of Durrow and Iona, St. Ciarán of Clonmacnoise and others. What became of the Druids? How were their symbols and teachings absorbed? Why did the rulers of a pagan Ireland give up their belief in an established religion to (rather quickly) turn to the new religion? What lead to the rise of Monastic orders and monasteries?

Mr. O'Brien has an extensive slide presentation of historical documents, landscape archeology, historic buildings, art and poetry. Images of ruined monasteries, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts (think Book of Kells), religious carvings and stonework are part of the explanation of the ancient process of the evolving of religion, which created the world of the round towers made so famous by the popular book, "How the Irish Saved Civilization."

Mr. O'Brien has had rave notices from his earlier appearances. You will want to get there early for a good seat. Tickets are $8.00 per person at the door.

From Website of Irish American Cultural Institute: www.iaci-usa.org/perception.html

Caimin O’Brien, a native of Birr, Co. Offaly, works as an archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of Ireland, which is a section of the National Monuments Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. He graduated from University College Galway with a degree in archaeology and later earned an M. Litt. in Medieval History at Trinity College Dublin. His publications include Stories from a Sacred Landscape: From Croghan Hill to Clonmacnoise, the Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly, The Medieval Churches of County Offaly and the Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary, North Riding.

His lecture will be based on his recent publication-Stories from a Sacred Landscape: From Crogan Hill to Clonmacnoise. In his talk he will look at the social background of the evangelizing saints who introduced Christianity to Ireland. He will look at the family background and the social status of important saints like St. Patrick, St. Columcille of Durrow and Iona, St. Ciarán of Clonmacnoise and many more. Why did Christianity gain such a stronghold in Ireland so quickly and without bloodshed or martyrdom of the saints? Why did the rulers of Pagan Ireland give up their belief system that had slowly formed over the centuries and turn to a new religion in a short time period? These and many more questions will be explored through an analysis of the historical documents, landscape archaeology, architecture, art history, poetry and the folk beliefs of Irish people. By combining these varied sources it is hoped to give a rounded and comprehensive analysis about the impact of Christianity on medieval Ireland.

This talk will be illustrated with beautiful images of early Christian Monasteries in their landscape and their magnificent illuminated manuscripts, stained glass windows depicting the early saints, and some wonderful examples of religious art through the beautiful carvings still visible on many medieval churches in the Irish countryside. Alongside these, there will be a collection of images detailing the fold beliefs of the Irish people such as Holy Bushes, Holy Wells and Cursing Stones-many of which are still places of religious activity in modern Ireland.

The IRISH AMERICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE (IACI) is a not-for-profit membership organization that has the distinction of having as its patron the President of Ireland, Ms. Mary McAleese.

The IACI publishes EIRE-IRELAND, a journal of Irish Studies, and DUCAS, a quarterly newsletter for members.

Through the IRISH PERCEPTIONS SERIES, the IACI brings historians, artists, actors, musicians, archeologists, poets, and writers from Ireland to the US on lecture tours each fall and spring.

The IACI also offers the IRISH ARTIST IN RESIDENCE program, an annual residency in New York City for contemporary artists from Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The IACI CULTURAL AWARDS are presented in Ireland annually in support of prose, poetry, heritage, art, music, and crafts. In excess of $25,000 is distributed recognizing excellence in these disciplines.

The IACI IRISH RESEARCH FUNDS are presented annually in Washington, D.C. to scholars in support of research on Irish American topics that will eventually lead to publication. The IACI and the National University-Galway offer an ANNUAL FELLOWSHIP in Irish Studies for a semester in Galway.

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