What does Cahill mean when he says the Irish saved civilization?

Answer 1

He talks about the influence the Irish clergy had in Europe through their missions and the setting up of monastries through which many people were educated. He says that the monks "single-handedly refounded European civilization throughout the continent." Well known Irish saints, such as St. Patrick and Saint Columba were major figures in this work. All of this was around and after the time of the collapse of the Roman Empire and the implications that had on Europe. Over many centuries this work continued and it did help to change Europe.