Dairthech Explained

In Gaelic Ireland, between the 5th and 9th centuries AD, a dairthech[1] (literally "oak-house") was a type of oratory or church built of oak-wood.[2]

Histories

The dairthech was the earliest kind of church built in Ireland, from the earliest Christian times (5th century AD) onward. They were gradually replaced by stone churches.

Structure

A typical dairthech was rectangular, measuring 4.5m (14.8feet) by 3m (10feet).[2] Some were wider up to 4.5m (14.8feet), and congregations of 150–260 people are recorded.[3] It had a high pointed gable.[4] Oak was used as a building material as a holdover from Celtic religion, where the oak was imbued with magical powers.[5]

Internal structure

Little is known about the internal structure of the dairthech, although descriptions of the murder of Echtigern in Kildare in AD 760 offer a few hints, mentioning a chancel-screen (Old Irish: cróchaingel) and altar (altóir). Cogitosus describes painted partitions dividing clergy from laity and women from men.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Spelling variants recorded by the Dictionary of the Irish Language include dairthach, daurthech, durthech, doirrthech, durthach, dúr(r)thech, derthech, dérthech, derthach, dérthach, dirthach, Derthaighi, ernaichthi, derthech, duirtheach, derthaighe, durtaig, dearthaigh, dairrtig, duirrtech, derthach, dirthige, dirthaige, durthigib.
  2. Book: Foster, David. Sons of the Rumour. 1 November 2009. Picador Australia. 9781741987690. Google Books.
  3. Book: Carver, Martin. The Cross Goes North: Processes of Conversion in Northern Europe, AD 300-1300. 3 February 2019. Boydell Press. 9781843831259. Google Books.
  4. https://www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Heritage/Archaeology/Monastic-Sites/Lynally-information-board-2018.pdf
  5. Web site: irishtimes.com - A history of Ireland in 100 objects Ardagh Chalice, eighth century - Sat Sep 10 01:00:00 IST 2011. www.irishtimes.com.
  6. Book: Mercia: An Anglo-Saxon Kingdom in Europe. Michelle P.. Brown. Carol A.. Farr. 1 March 2005. Bloomsbury Publishing. 9781441153531. Google Books.

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