Inhabitants of Ireland, after the 1century B.C. They were organized in tribal communities, each clan being governed by a chief, who was always a member of the ruling family, or by a king. There were also the two assemblies, the druids who charmed the evil spirits, the ollamhs (professors of law), and bards who had charge of the genealogies and reduced them to writing. They worshiped forces or objects of nature and were Christianized by Saint Patrick. Through them Irish literature and culture reached its acme.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
Read More