While legend has it that St Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland, the religion of Rome had already taken hold to some extent before the patron saint of Ireland started spreading the word of God. By the sixth century, Ireland had entered the golden age of Christianity, with monasteries flourishing and developing into cultural and learning centres. Some of the country’s finest artwork can be traced back to this era, with the Book of Kells and the Ardagh Chalice being the most prominent examples.