Missions to the Gaels: Reformation and Counter Reformation in Ulster and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland 1560 - 1760

Beginning half a century before the plantation of Ulster, Missions to the Gaels throws fascinating historical perspectives on the origins of the sectarian divisions in northern Ireland. The research is unique in dealing with both Protestants and Catholics, rather than treating only one denomination in isolation. The book explores the intriguing situation that while Scottish Gaelic-speaking ministers laid the foundations of the embryonic Protestant Church in Ireland, at the same time Irish-speaking priests were almost exclusively responsible for the reintroduction of Catholicism to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. But the focus of this book extends beyond narrow ecclesiastical issues, revealing the broader political and cultural factors which motivated the Gaels' choice of religious alignment and tracing these over two centuries of turbulent change in Gaelic society. The narrative reverberates not only to the resolute determination of small bands of dedicated missionaries, but also with tales of the few who fell by the wayside, thus adding the dimension of anecdotal colour. "This book is the first extended study, in the Post-Reformation period, of the impact of the Gaels (in the west of Scotland and the north of Ireland) on each others' religious heritage. Beginning half a century before the plantation of Ulster, Missions to the Gaels illuminates the origins of the sectarian divisions in Northern Ireland. The research is unique in dealing with both Protestants and Catholics, rather than treating only one denomination in isolation. The author explores the intriguing situation whereby Scottish Gaelic-speaking ministers laid the foundations of the embryonic Protestant Church in Ireland, while at the same time Irish-speaking priests were almost exclusively responsible for the reintroduction of Catholicism to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland." "But the range of this book extends beyond narrow ecclesiastical issues; it reveals the broader political and cultural forces which determined the Gaels' choice of religious alignment and traces their effects over two centuries of turbulent change in Gaelic society."--BOOK JACKET This book is an extended study, in the Post-Reformation period, of the impact of the Gaels in the west of Scotland and the north of Ireland on each other's religious heritage. Beginning half a century before the plantation of Ulster, Missions to the Gaels illuminates the origins of the sectarian divisions in Northern Ireland. The research deals with both Protestants and Catholics, rather than treating only one denomination in isolation. The author explores the intriguing situation whereby Scottish Gaelic-speaking ministers laid the foundations of the embryonic Protestant Church in Ireland, while at the same time Irish-speaking priests were almost exclusively responsible for the reintroduction of Catholicism to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.The range of this book extends beyond narrow ecclesiastical issues: it reveals the broader political and cultural forces that determined the Gaels'choice of religious alignment and traces the effects of these over two centuries of turbulent change in Gaelic society.