Why was Irish monasticism big in the Middle Ages

how the fuck did ireland get its hands on ancient greek and roman texts compared to the rest of western europe at the time?

>Irish
>doing anything besides drinking and dying from potato famines

>>2244454
>how the fuck did ireland get its hands on ancient greek and roman texts compared to the rest of western europe at the time?

African theologians of the desert fathers era who fled to the north.

>inb4 we wuz

>>2244493
t. Nigel Beadyham

>>2244518
are you saying the original irish were black?

>>2244771
I don't know. African in the sense meaning from Africa, North Africa in particular, where Greek and Roman language would be more prevelant.

Although I personally believe the Celts were of a dark hue.

I wonder if it had more to do with Ireland's relative isolation that kept copies of books from being destroyed by raiders.

>>2244454
It didn't. The vast majority of Irish texts showing knowledge of classical literature were produced outside of Ireland, mostly in the Carolingian Empire. That's what this whole 'Irish saved civilization' meme is based on, the fact that there were some Irish scholars working in the Carolingian Empire. Nothing actually suggests Irish monks in Ireland were concerned with anything other than the usual theological bullshit and making pretty bibles.

>>2244804
how did they become white then...if you say the celts were dark how did modern irish become pale white?