Saint Patrick

Carried off to Ireland as a slave in his youth, he later returned to preach there and became Ireland's patron saint.

Life

Enslaved as a youth

Patrick was a Romanized Briton of the 5th century CE whose dates of birth and death are unknown. According to his own Confessions, at sixteen he was captured by Irish raiders and spent six years herding sheep in Ireland before escaping back to Britain.

Returned to the island to preach

After training for the priesthood, he returned to Ireland as a missionary, working mainly in the north and west, baptizing many people and founding churches, traditionally with Armagh as his center. His two Latin works, the Confessions and the Letter to Coroticus, are the earliest documents of Ireland.

Legends and a feast day

Legends about him multiplied after his death: using the shamrock to explain the Trinity, driving the snakes out of Ireland and so on are all later embellishments. By tradition he died on March 17, which became St. Patrick's Day.

Legacy

Patrick is a symbol of Irish identity, and St. Patrick's Day is now celebrated in grand style by Irish communities around the world.

Major works & achievements

• Confessions
• Letter to Coroticus

Did you know? Ireland never had snakes in the first place; the story of him "driving out the snakes" is pure legend.

Key dates

• 432Begins his mission in Ireland (traditional date)
• 461Died (one traditional date)