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Saint Patrick

  • Patrick's Roots: Almost 1500 years ago the patron saint and national hero of Ireland was born to a Gaelic family who had migrated to Britain. The child was called Succat, which means "warlike". Since Britain was part of the Roman Empire and had become Christian, the child was baptized and called Patricius, meaning "noble". For 16 years, Patrick lived a normal life as the son of a prosperous landowner and magistrate.

  • Patrick the Slave: At that time, a warlike Irish king, Niall of the Nine Hostages, raided Britain, and among the people captured was Patrick. He was sold as a slave and tended sheep for six years on a mountain in Ireland called Slemish. Finally, Patrick was told by an angel that a boat was waiting for him. He made his escape and got on a boat bound for France with a cargo of Irish wolfhounds, which were greatly prized. From there, Patrick made his way to Rome.

  • Patrick the Missionary: Patrick studied to become a missionary, for he decided to return to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish. He was not the first missionary to go to Ireland, but the others before him had not been of Irish descent and had little success. Patrick was made a bishop and, along with two deacons, arrived in Wicklow in 432 A.D.

  • Patrick and the Shamrock: This tiny weed, a member of the clover family, was used by Patrick to explain the mystery of the Trinity, the three leaves of the shamrock representing the Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit).

  • Patrick and the Snakes: The good saint prayed that no venomous beast would live in Ireland and it has worked. At least there is nobody else with a similar claim.

  • Patrick in Ireland: The first thing Patrick did was to seek permission from the Irish Kings to do his missionary work. Here his knowledge of the Irish language and customs helped his effort. Patrick was allowed to do his work, but not without inflicting pain. According to legend, while preaching a sermon on the patience and suffering of Christ to King Aengus, Patrick accidentally drove his staff through the King's foot. The good King didn't cry out thinking this was the moral of the sermon. When Patrick realized what had happened he prayed, and the foot was miraculously cured.

  • Patrick's Legacy: From 432 until his death on March 17, 461, Patrick covered the length and breadth of Ireland spreading the word of Christ. There are legends associated with the saint in every part of Ireland. Croagh (pronounced Croak) Patrick is a mountain where he is said to have spent 40 days fasting. St. Patrick's Purgatory is a well-known shrine on an island in Donegal.

  • St. Patrick the winemaker: Maybe not a wine maker, but there are two wines called after him. Chateauneuf-de-Pape Saint Patrick comes from the Rhone. Tradition says Patrick rested in this ancient vineyard on his way to Rome. In 1780, William Garvey from Waterford settled in Jerez, Spain, and began shipping the local brew called sherry under the name Fino San Patricio. The Garvey family still operates in Jerez and the Irish flag flies over three of their bodegas.