Date
2-28-2025
Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)
Chair
Martin Klauber
Keywords
Irish, Pagan, Christianity, Conversion, Ulster, Regional
Disciplines
History
Recommended Citation
McNally, Cassidy M., "Celtic Pagan Influence in the Early Irish Church: The Conversion of Ulster" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6534.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6534
Abstract
This dissertation explores the influence of Celtic Pagan traditions on the early Irish Church in Ulster, from the introduction of Christianity in the late fourth century to the Viking invasions of the twelfth century. By integrating historical texts, archaeological findings, and comparative religious studies, it investigates how pre-Christian beliefs and rituals were assimilated into early Christian practices. The study begins by examining the arrival of Christianity in Ulster, highlighting how Celtic Paganism, characterized by its pantheon, nature worship, and druidic traditions, shaped the Christian framework. It delves into how early Christian leaders, such St. Patrick and St. Brigid, navigated these indigenous beliefs, leading to a syncretism reflected in monastic traditions, liturgical practices, and ecclesiastical art. The transformation of Pagan sacred sites into Christian worship centers and the adaptation of Celtic festivals into the Christian calendar are analyzed alongside the theological exchanges between the two belief systems in hagiographies and religious manuscripts. This dissertation argues that the early Irish Church in Ulster did not merely replace Celtic Paganism but rather integrated and reinterpreted it, resulting in a distinct Irish Christian identity that is remnant of the ancient Pagan past.
