University of Virginia Library

The rapid conversion of the ancient Irish from Druidism to Christianity, compared to the slow progress of missionary efforts among other Northern nations, may be accounted for by the fact that the dominant people in Ireland were of a different race from those of England, Wales and the northern part of Europe. Originally, doubtless, Ireland was settled by the branch of the family known as Kelts, as other parts were by the branches usually called Belgæ and Teutones. Comparatively few in numbers, they gave way before the Teutonic sea-kings, the Fermorians, who were in turn displaced by the Belgæ, or Firbolgs, who were in turn driven out or exterminated by what appears to have been a Dacian invasion—the Tuatha de Danaan. All these seem to be of the same race—all of large, coarse build, with blue eyes and yellow or golden hair—the exceptions being so rare as to call for distinctive names when they appeared. The last invaders, who maintained permanent possession, were of a different race, and of different physical characteristics. They were called Milesians, or Gael, from their leaders, or Scoti, from the mother of Milesius, and came mediately through Spain from the Greek islands of the Mediterranean, between which and Ireland there can be traced some similarity of customs. They differed from the Kelto-Belgo-Teutonic race in appearance, their figures being more graceful, their hair dark, and their eyes blue—the ruling Irish type to-day. Their mythology was more intellectual, their habits less barbarous, their practices more chivalrous, and their folk-lore more innocent than that of their Keltic, Belgic or Teutonic predecessors. Hence probably their easier conversion. But it was nearly a century before Druidism was entirely destroyed, and the supremacy of the Gael practically established.