Saint Patrick’s Life, Legend and Landscape
Want to know more about Ireland’s Patron Saint? Then why not follow the Saint Patrick’s Trail, a 92 mile signed driving route connecting key sites which have a strong link with Saint Patrick’s Life, Legacy and Landscape.
It was in Armagh and Down that Saint Patrick began his mission in Ireland, established his first church and created Armagh as the spiritual centre of the island.
But let’s start at the beginning...
A legend born
It might surprise you to know that Ireland’s Patron Saint wasn’t actually Irish! He was born in Britain around 400 AD and was raised by a wealthy family.
Many believe his given name was Maewyn, although others say it was Succat. All we know for sure is that he refers to himself as Patricius, a Roman name of which Patrick is the Anglicised version.
Disaster strikes
When Patrick was 15 he was captured by a clan of Irish outlaws and taken to Ireland as a slave. Once in Ireland, he was sent to Slemish Mountain in County Antrim to work as a shepherd.
During this time Patrick was lonely and afraid. He turned to religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian.
During his six years as a slave, Patrick dreamed of an angel called Victoricus who urged him to escape from his master. Patrick travelled nearly 200 miles, probably to Waterford, where he completed his escape back to Britain.
In Britain, Patrick began studying in a monastery. Once again he heard the voice of the angel Victoricus tell ng him to return to Ireland to convert the pagans to Christianity. In 432 AD, Patrick arrived back in Ireland as a bishop. He landed where the Slaney River flows into Strangford Lough in County Down It was in this area, at Saul, that he founded his first church.
Saint Patrick’s Day
Patrick’s mission in Ireland is said to have asted for many years It is believed he died in the 5th century on the 17th March, the date on which Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year. Patrick is buried in Downpatrick, in the graveyard of Down Cathedral.
Saint Patrick and snakes
Many people believe that Saint Patrick’s greatest achievement was to drive all the snakes out of Ireland. But since there have never been any snakes here, how did he achieve this miracle? Well, the snakes are a metaphor for the devil. The miracle was the conversion of pagans and the expulsion of Satan from Ireland.
Slemish Mountain
Slemish Mountain in County Antrim sits about 1,500 ft above sea level and is the remains of an extinct volcano. As a slave in the
fth century, Patrick tended sheep on the mountain slopes.
Today Slemish is a place of pilgrimage in honour of Saint Patrick. Many people visit the interpretative centre in its foothills and walk to the summit to enjoy some of the most spectacular views in Ireland.
Dromore High Cross, Dromore, County Down.
Saint Patrick’s Grave, Downpatrick, County Down.