The Romans never found time to invade Ireland which is certainly the most important non-event in Irish history, nonetheless the Latin language made its appearance spoken first by christian missionaries and later by native churchmen who were probably no better at it than their 20th century successors who have breathed a great sigh of relief at its dissapearance from liturgy and the educational system. -- Gearóid Mac Eoin, 1988, The decline of the Celtic Languages In: Proceedings of the 1st. N. American Cong. of Celtic Studies, p595.