The life and times of Ireland’s patron saint

March 17 is a celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. Maewyn Succat, as the saint was then called, was born in Britain around A.D 380. As a teen, he was abducted by Irish Marauders. He spent his time in captivity as a herdsman near the mountain Slemish. He reportedly saw visions urging him to escape, and after six years, he did.

Sometime after his reunion with his family, he had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him to return. He returned to the island and was later ordained a priest. Sometime after A.D. 431, he was appointed successor to St. Palladius, the first bishop of Ireland.

Despite threats to his life, St. Patrick traveled through Ireland, baptizing, confirming and preaching. He is said to have converted entire kingdoms to Christianity. He used the shamrock as an illustration of the Trinity, which led to it being regarded as the Irish national symbol. St. Patrick is credited with banishing all the snakes from Ireland, which is probably a metaphor for his driving the snake-worshiping pagans from the country.

St. Patrick died March 17, 461. Modern celebrations commence around the country to honor him and most involve drinking alcohol such as Guinness or Irish whiskey. As the holiday falls during Lent, a time when Irish Catholics give up drinking, the Irish have found a way to legally celebrate the saint with alcohol. They stage a mock wake for him the day before the holiday, as one can drink on the day of a wake or a funeral.