Life As A Monk In Medieval Ireland (First Person Account)

Hello my name is Joseph and I am a monk. In a monastery, we help the poor, shelter travellers, look after the sick and teach reading and writing. There are many orders of monks. There is the Benedictines, the Cistercians and the Augustinians. Most of us follow the Rule of St. Benedict. The Rule of Benedict provides a guide to prayer, work and study. When us monks first came to Ireland we founded many monasteries …

…Others work in the garden, farm the fields, teach students, copy manuscripts or prepare meals. The meals are eaten in the refectory. Breakfast is bread with wine or ale. Dinner consists of vegetables, eggs and cheese, also with bread and beer. A passage from the Bible or holy book is read to us as we eat in silence. Supper is eaten shortly before the last prayers. Then we go to bed in a common dormitory.