Perhaps, too, here was planned the expedition to far-off
Iceland. "Before Iceland was peopled by the Northmen
there were in the country those men whom the Northmen
called Papar. They were Christian men, and the people
believed that they came from the West, because Irish
books and bells and crosiers were found after them, and
still more things by which one might know that they were
west-men, i.e. Irish."[2]
[1] Dr Skene says the Psalter incident "bears the stamp of
spurious tradition"; so does the Longarad story; but it is
curious how often sacred books play a part in these tales.
[2] Henderson, Norse Influence on Celtic Scotland, 5-6.
Not only to the far north, but to the Continent, did the
Irish press their energetic way. In Gaul their chief missionary
was Columban (c. 543 - 615), who had been educated at
Bangor, then famous for the learning of its brethren. His
works display an extensive acquaintance with Christian
and Latin literature. Both the Greek and Hebrew
languages may have been known to him, though this
seems improbable and inconceivable.[1] In his Rule he
provides for teaching in schools, copying manuscripts, and
for daily reading.
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