Story of St.Patrick

St Patrick's Day is usually celebrated on March 17 but can vary if it coincides with other important church days. Patrick was not born in Ireland, he was abducted and enslaved by Irish marauders and worked as a shepherd in Country Antrim. During this time he prayed to the Christian God. It is said that an angel came and told him to escape. He travelled over 200 miles by foot and then boarded a boat to cross the Irish Sea. Patrick settled in France and spent 20 years as a monk living in an abbey but then received another vision, this time telling him to go back to Ireland to be a priest and converter. The year was 432.
Patrick and 24 followers went to Ireland to spread the word of God. They went to the King asking for permission to promote Christianity. In order to win the King's favour, Patrick explained that the Shamrock was like God, in that the three leaves of the Shamrock were like the three personas of God:- The Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost, which is known as The Trinity. The King was impressed by Patrick and gave him permission to promote Christianity. This meant that the Pagans were driven out of the land. Pagans used the symbol of a snake, and this is where the Fable of Patrick ridding Ireland of its snakes comes from.

Patrick died around 30 - 50 years later, no one is sure when and no one can be sure where he was buried, although many believe it is Down Cathedral.