St Patrick was a Roman Briton brought up in northern England, most likely born in either Wales or Scotland. He was captured by Irish pirates at the age of 16, and worked as a shepherd on the slopes of Slemish Mountain in Country Antrim. During this time he prayed to God whilst being held captive in a pagan land.
After six years an angel came to him in a dream, prompting him to escape and seek out his homeland. Later, St Patrick became a deacon and then a priest. He was called by the Pope to return to Ireland to preach the gospel to the people who had enslaved him. In 432AD, St Patrick was appointed as a Bishop by Pope Celestine.
In the Spring of 432, St Patrick decided to confront the high King of Tara, the most powerful King in Ireland. St Patrick knew that if he had the King's support he would be free to take God's message to the people of Ireland.
St Patrick and his followers were invited to Tara by the King of Laoghaire. While he was there he plucked a shamrock from the ground to illustrate to the King the true existence of Trinity in everyday life. King Laoghaire was very impressed and chose to accept Christianity. He also gave St Patrick the freedom to spread Christianity throughout Ireland.
It is said that because of this story of the Shamrock, Ireland and the colour green have now become intrinsically linked.
St Patrick is also credited with driving snakes from Ireland, although many say that this is probably not the case. The chances are there haven't been any since the end of the ice age when the country was separated from the rest of Europe. Snakes were often seen as a pagan symbol and it is more likely that driving snakes from Ireland was symbolic of St Patrick putting a stop to pagan practices.
Today, St Patrick’s Day, is celebrated in a secular and modern way rather than religious. St Patrick’s Festival, a 4-day event, is held every year in Dublin which includes a massive parade, funfair and other entertaining events. 92% of the Irish are Roman Catholic, and the majority of others belong to the Church of Ireland (Anglican), Methodist Church or Presbyterian Church. Memorial mass for St Patrick will be held in all churches today.
