Early Irish Monasteries and their Dynastic

With the introduction of Christianity, kings were quick to use their patronage of the Church to influence political relationships within their kingdoms and those of their neighbors. In a similar fashion, Church leaders from dynastic kindreds were quick to use their family connections to promote their monastery’s goals. Although the number of kings found in Ireland during the Medieval period has been a source of differing opinions (Byrne 2001, 7; Ó Corráin 1978, 10-11), it is clear that at any one time there were several competing dynasties. Each of these royal dynasties could in turn split off into several branches (Charles-Edwards 2000, 14). With so many kings ruling throughout the land, it would only make sense for each to look for something to strengthen their position. Thomas Charles-Edwards in his Early Christian Ireland observes that even though it might have been impossible for some dynasties to maintain their royal standing, there were still other ways for them to maintain a high status. One such way was to control a monastery. Through the dynasty’s control of a monastery and its connection to that monastery’s saint, the dynasty could gain a potent focus for displaying its power, as well as providin