爱尔兰早期基督教皈依者的教区看来与他们周围的异教社会很少来往,其服饰、发型和风俗则更趋于罗马化。逐渐地他们的传道为外界所接受。异族国王的统治与旧信仰和旧习俗有着内在的联系,当他们允许基督教传播时,他们似乎赞同修道院组织的发展。在爱尔兰,这些修道院几乎近于部落。 修道院有如村庄,以墓地和小礼拜堂为中心, The parishioners of early Christian converts in Ireland appear to be less connected with pagan societies around them, and their costumes, hairstyles and customs tend to be more Romanized. Gradually, their ministry was accepted by the outside world. The rule of the alien kings is intrinsically linked to old beliefs and old customs, and they seem to agree with the development of the monastic community when they allow the spread of Christianity. In Ireland, these monasteries are almost tribal. Abbey is like a village, with cemeteries and chapels as the center,