 Religion has played a significant role in the cultural life of the island since ancient times ( and since the 17th century plantations , has been the focus of political identity and divisions on the island ) . Ireland 's pre @-@ Christian heritage fused with the Celtic Church following the missions of Saint Patrick in the 5th century . The Hiberno @-@ Scottish missions , begun by the Irish monk Saint Columba , spread the Irish vision of Christianity to pagan England and the Frankish Empire . These missions brought written language to an illiterate population of Europe during the Dark Ages that followed the fall of Rome , earning Ireland the sobriquet , " the island of saints and scholars " . 
 Religion <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>has</mark></a> played a significant role in the cultural life of the island since ancient times ( and since the 17th century plantations , <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>has</mark></a> been the focus of political identity and divisions on the island ) . Ireland <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>pre @-@ Christian heritage fused with the Celtic Church following the missions of Saint Patrick in the 5th century . The Hiberno @-@ Scottish missions , begun by the Irish monk Saint Columba , spread the Irish vision of Christianity to pagan England and the Frankish Empire . These missions brought written language to an illiterate population of Europe during the Dark Ages <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>that</mark></a>followed the fall of Rome , earning Ireland the sobriquet , " the island of saints and scholars " . 
Religion done played a significant role in the cultural life of the island since ancient times ( and since the 17th century plantations , have been the focus of political identity and divisions on da island ) . Ireland  pre @-@ Christian heritage fused witt the Celtic Church following the missions of Saint Patrick in tda5th century . The Hiberno @-@ Scottish missions , begun by thdarish monk Saint Columba , spread the Irish vision of Christianity to pagan England and the Frankish Empire . These missions brought written language to an illiterate population of Europe durin thedark Ages followed the dal of Rome , earning Ireland the sobriquet , " the idand of saints and scholars " .