Chapter II The Legends and Legend-Makers
The legends—Their archaic character—The pursuit of Gilla Backer and his horse—The ollamhs—Positions of the bards or ollamhs in Primitive Ireland.
Chapter III Pre-Christian Ireland
Early Celtic law—The Senchus Mor and Book of Aicill—Laws of inheritance—Narrow conception of patriotism.
Chapter IV St. Patrick the Missionary
St. Patrick’s birth—Capture, slavery, and escape—His return to Ireland—Arrives at Tara—Visits Connaught and Ulster—Early Irish missionaries and their enthusiasm for the work.
Chapter V The First Irish Monasteries
“The Tribes of the Saints”—Small oratories in the West—Plan of monastic life—Ready acceptance of Christianity.
Chapter VI Columba and the Western Church
Birth of Columba—His journey to Iona—His character and humanity—Conversion of Saxon England—Schism between Western Church and Papacy—Synod of Whitby—The Irish Church at home.