This passage makes clear what was before obscure and vague. A ?ood of light is thrown upon one of the darkest yet most im portant periods in Irish history, and a new starting-point for investigation is provided. We have at last firm soil under our feet, and can proceed with greater assurance. For while the origin and early development of Irish learning and civilisa tion is now accounted for, the in?uence of the newly acquired learning upon native literature will also have to be examined. But, above all, it must interest us to consider what inferences may be drawn from this novel piece of information as to the state of Irish civilisation at that early period. And here the first question to answer is, why it was in Ireland rather than any other country that these fugitives sought an asylum. It is true that Ireland was not likely to be exposed to such invasions as those from which they were ?eeing but there must have been other reasons which directed the steps of the emigrants in the first instance to this distant island.