Education: Very little in his early life. He later trained as
a cleric in France
Occupation: Sheep herder for Milchu on Slemish Mountain in Co
Antrim and later preacher, baptiser and bishop
Achievements: Posthumously became Ireland's patron saint Responsible
for the conversion of the island to Christianity
Publications: Epistle to Coroticus Confessio
Interests/hobbies:
Preaching
Writing
Travel
Church-building
Hillwalking - once spent forty days of Lent on Croagh Patrick
Legacies: Pota Phadraig: Pota Phadraig (Patrick's Pot) is the
name given to the measure of whiskey to be taken on Saint Patrick's Day.
Tradition dictates that a shamrock be floated on the whiskey before drinking,
hence the expression, 'drowning the shamrock'
The Shamrock: This was the tool reputedly used by Saint Patrick
to illustrate the Holy Trinity to convert the Irish pagans Saint Patrick's
Breastplate: Also known as The Lorica, this was the hymn said to have been
sung by Patrick and his followers on their pilgrimage to Tara as they attempted
to put a stop to the pagan rituals.
Saint Patrick's Day Parades: Contrary to popular belief,
this tradition did not originate in Ireland. The first St. Patrick's Day
celebration in America was in 1737 hosted by the Charitable Irish Society
of Boston. Today festive parades are held all over the world, for no more
sinister purpose than raising a glass to the saint and celebrating Irishness.
The Reek: Every year thousands of pilgrims, many in bare feet,
climb the 2,500 ft to the peak of Croagh Patrick, to pay homage to Saint
Patrick's Christian mission in Ireland. Legend says that it was here that
the saint rang his bell and the snakes of Ireland
fled. Things you didn't know about Saint Patrick: At the age of sixteen,
shortly before he was taken into captivity, "he committed a fault which
appears not to have been a great crime, yet was to him a subject of tears
during the rest of his life". (from Butler, Lives of the Saints) He was
tremendously conscious about his lack of education and often refers to
his inability to express his thoughts clearly in his Confessio.(from Simms,
The Real Story of Saint Patrick)
Myths about Saint Patrick:
He used a shamrock to explain the Trinity: Not true but the shamrock was
traditionally worn in Ireland as a symbol of the cross
He drove the snakes out of the country: Ireland
never had snakes - but the snake metaphor was probably used later to represent
paganism
He was the first to preach the Good News in Ireland: It is known that there
were Christians in Ireland before his time
He is thought to have been born and died on his feastday, March 17th: Both
claims are considered unlikely
