CHAPTER XV
Bridget’s Companions and Successors
AD Bridget stood alone as a solitary phe-
nomenon of Irish history, the only woman
interested in the development of her in-
telligence in her day, her own greatness would
rather have been diminished than enhanced by that
fact. She was but one of many however who in
that period devoted themselves to the intellectual
as well as the spiritual life. Her influence was
deeply and widely felt and many Irish women,
stimulated by her example, developed not only
their minds but a spirit of helpfulness for the
solution of human problems that has given them an
enduring place in the history not only of Ireland
itself but the culture of the world. It is manifest
from what we have learned in recent years of ancient
Irish history that the women of Ireland played a
very important role in that chapter of the history
of civilization which we owe to the Irish. The
women of the Teutons as pictured for us by Tacitus
who undoubtedly emphasized many traits because
he wanted to make the contrast with the women of
Rome so much more striking, have held a high place
in the thoughts of modern feministic leaders. It
is evident that the women of the Gael deserve an
even greater place because they stood not only for
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