<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> This article details the history of Christianity in Ireland . Ireland is an island to the north - west of continental Europe . Politically, Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland, which covers just under five - sixths of the island, and Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, which covers the remainder and is located in the north - east of the island . Roman Catholicism is the largest religious denomination, representing over 73% for the island and about 87% of the Republic of Ireland . </P> <P> The introduction of Christianity to Ireland dates to sometime before the 5th century, presumably in interactions with Roman Britain . Christian worship had reached pagan Ireland around 400 AD . It is often misstated that St. Patrick brought the faith to Ireland, but it was already present on the island before Patrick arrived . Monasteries were built for monks who wanted permanent communion with God . The lengths they went to for tranquility are evident from the monastery of Skellig Michael . Via Aidan, Christianity spread among the Picts and Northumbrians . </P> <P> Scholars have long considered the term "Celtic Church" to be inappropriate for describing Christianity among Celtic - speaking peoples, since this would imply a notion of unity, or a self - identifying entity, that did not exist . As Paul Wormald explained, "One of the common misconceptions is that there was a' Roman Church' to which the' Celtic' was nationally opposed ." Celtic - speaking areas were part of Latin Christendom as a whole, wherein a significant degree of liturgical and structural variation existed, along with a collective veneration of the Bishop of Rome that was no less intense in Britain and Ireland . Some scholars have chosen to apply the term "Insular Christianity" to this Christian practice that arose around the Irish Sea . </P>

Who established the first christian church in ireland
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