There is a clear possibility that there was organised trade between both Ireland and Britain and between Ireland and the continent.
The Irish imported wine, oil and possibly metal work, and pottery
They had plenty to export such as classic wolfhound, cattle, and precious metals
Certainly trade seems to be have been frequent enough for some basic knowledge of teh christian faith to have filtered through
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Colonies
As early as the 3rd century, there seems to have been groups of Irish living in Britain in colonies which doubtless kept up a contact with home, importing perhaps certani aspects of teh christian faith they grasped
The Irish were 'expantionists'
Formed colonies around coasts of Britain
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Raids
Ongoing slave raids by the Irish on Britain and possibly the continent, were perhaps another source of the Christian faith in Ireland
Captured slaves may have been among those living in reasonable numbers in Ireland in the 4th century
Slaves were brought back to work as slaves
Christian views may have been heard by the slaves and infiltrated throughout Ireland
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Evidence of Christianity in Ireland
Linguistic evidence
Pre-Patrician Saints
Heresies
Palladius
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Linguistic evidence
Evidence of Latin origin, although probably derived from British Christians
Words which have survived in archaic Irish are 'Caisc' meaning 'Easter', and 'Cruimther' meaning 'Priest', indicating a practice of the faith
The absence of words for diocese or bishop indicates a lack of development of a Christian Church as such.
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Pre-Patrician Saints
Strong tradition of saints in Ireland who are pre-patrician in origin. Little is known of them.
Details of these saints must be treated with caution
Were not written about till the 12th century
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Heresies
Pelagian heresy had comtaminated the church in Britain
Germanus was sent to the church in Britain early in the 5th century
The mission of Palladius seems to have been to prevent the contamination of teh infant Irish church
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Palladius
Prosper of Aquitaine-resident of teh Marseilles who was an opponent of Pelagius tells us Palladius is sent to Ireland as the first bishop
Indicates that there was a clear number of Christians in Ireland before Palladius was sent
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