St. Patrick (Pádraig) is a patron saint of Ireland (along with Saints Brigid and Colomba). March 17th is reputed to be the date of his death and is his feast day, celebrated in Ireland and worldwide.
Patrick was a fifth century Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. He was never formally canonised because he lived before the relevant canonisation laws operated. Despite this, he is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, Lutheran Church, Church of Ireland (Anglican), and in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where he is regarded as equal-to-the-apostles and ‘Enlightener of Ireland’.
Patrick’s birthplace is disputed; some place it in England, Scotland or Wales, and a recent book claims he was actually from Brittany in France. Patrick's autobiographical Confessio states that when he was about 16, he was captured by Irish pirates from his home and taken as a slave to Ireland where he lived for six years as a shepherd before he escaped back to his family. After later becoming a cleric, he returned to Ireland to spread Christianity. Already familiar with Irish language and culture, Patrick incorporated Irish cultural practices into his teachings, e.g. he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honouring their gods with fire. And famously, he used the shamrock as a symbol of the Catholic Holy Trinity. By the seventh century, he was already revered as a patron saint of Ireland.
Many counties have specific links to his lifetime, including:
- Slemish, Co. Antrim is the area where Patrick herded sheep as a slave.
- Armagh, Co. Armagh where Patrick founded a church and it now has Protestant and Catholic cathedrals named after him.
- Lough Derg, Co. Donegal is where Patrick reputedly killed a large lake serpent and hence turned the water red ('derg' in Irish).
- Saul, Co. Down where Patrick founded his first church. He may also have died here.
- Downpatrick, Co. Down is the burial place of St. Patrick. His tomb is marked with a large granite slab.
- Hill of Slane, Co. Meath is where Patrick lit a Pascal Fire.
- Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo is the holy mountain where Patrick climbed to its peak and fasted for the forty days of Lent. Each year in July thousands of pilgrims now climb the mountain barefoot.
- St Patrick's Well, Co. Tipperary is the largest Catholic holy well in Ireland. It is believed that Patrick bathed here and also converted and baptised some local people here.
- Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary, St. Patrick’s Rock and Holy Cross. Patrick converted the King of Munster here. During the conversion ceremony, he accidentally drove his staff through the King’s foot, which the King thought was part of the ritual.
There are many legends and myths linked to St. Patrick. Most towns have a school, church, street, etc. named in his honour and many holy wells are dedicated to him. Really, each and every county has some association with this memorable religious and cultural figure.
[www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick
www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/st-patrick-france-britain
www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/5-historic-irish-sites-linked-saint-patrick]