How the Irish Saved Civilization (Hinges of History Book 1)

by Thomas Cahill

Are the men that God made mad. For all their wars are merry, And all their songs are sad.

Patrick was really a first—the first missionary to barbarians beyond the reach of Roman law.

The pagan festivals continued to be celebrated, which is why we today can still celebrate the Irish feasts of May Day and Hallowe’en.

The Irish innovation was to make all confession a completely private affair between penitent and priest—and to make it as repeatable as necessary.