I’ve been reading about the history of “libertarian” societies and ancient Ireland keeps coming up (650-1650 AD). I read that ancient Ireland was not primitive but “a highly complex society that was, for centuries, the most advanced, most scholarly, and most civilized in all of Western Europe.”
Does anyone know in what ways they were the most advanced and scholarly? I know from a Libertarian perspective we would say their stateless legal system would make them as such in our eyes, but is there anything else that made them more “civilized?”
Also, what is meant by Western Europe? That designation seems to have changed several times throughout history.
First off, by “ancient” do you mean 1650-650 BCE? Or do you mean “medieval Irish history” as in 650-1650 CE? Knowing that will definitely help in pinpointing a good response for you.
This is not my area, but one thing I can tell you is of all Western Europeans the Irish monks were the most sophisticated proselytizers of Christianity. They nearly single handedly spread Christianity to Alpine Slavs - Carantanians, the forerunners of modern Slovenes. Franks attempted conversion by the sword and failed, then Irish came and suceeded with a more conventional method - preaching.
Additionally, the Celts - including the Irish - were known for their metalworking. The book The Lindisfarne Gospels has pictures of some examples towards the back. The Gospels themselves are also exquisitely illuminated.