[1] Another monk named Augustine (c. 650)
quotes from Eusebius and Jerome in a work affording many
other evidences of learning.[2] Aileran (c. 660), abbot of
Clonard, wrote a religious work which proves his acquaintance
with Jerome, Philo, Cassian, Origen, and Augustine.[3]
[1] D.C.B. sub nom.
[2] Stokes (G. T.), 221.
[3] Ib. 220.
An Englishman supplies valuable evidence of the state of
Irish learning. Aldhelm's (c. 656-709) works prove him to
have had access in England to a good library; while in one
learned letter he compares English schools favourably with
the Irish, and declares Theodore and Hadrian would put Irish
scholars in the shade. Yet he is on his mettle when communicating
with Irish friends or pupils; he clearly reserves
for them the flowers of his eloquence.[1] The Irish schools
were indeed successful rivals of the English schools, and
Irish scholars could use libraries as good, or nearly as good,
as that at Aldhelm's disposal. At this time the attraction
which Ireland and Iona had for English students was extra-
ordinary. English crowded the Irish schools, although
the Canterbury school was not full.
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