Saint Patrick is Ireland's patron saint, but have you ever explored the history and origins of St. Patrick?
Did you know that he was not born in Ireland?
Did you know he was brought to Ireland at first and kept as a slave?
Did you know that he is credited with bringing Christianity to the pagan Celtic people of Ireland?
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Celebrating Saint Patrick
Today we celebrate St. Patrick, and everything that is Irish - our customs and culture, our language, our heritage, our food and drink. And I raise my glass to you - the readers of my blog.
Thank you all for following my ramblings and recipes. I appreciate your support and your comments throughout my years of blogging. It has been a wonderful journey exploring what it means to be Irish and American.
A very happy St. Patrick's Day from Irish American Mom.
And to honor our favorite saint I thought we might explore some facts or suppositions about his origins and evangelical works.
Where Was Saint Patrick Born?
St. Patrick’s birthplace is debated. No one knows if it’s Kilpatrick in Scotland or Bannavem Taburniae (thought to have been in Wales but not on any map!)
Scholars claim he first returned to Ireland as a Bishop landing in either Strangford Loch, Co. Down or Slane, Co. Meath.
Legend holds he banished snakes from Ireland. But Ireland as an island nation was cut off from the rest of Europe at the end of the Ice Age. Were snakes symbolic of paganism? Did St. Patrick really banish all the snakes from Ireland?
The good folks at Murphy's of Ireland created this fantastic infographic detailing the life of St. Patrick.
Thanks to Murphy of Ireland for dedicating so much time to putting this graphic together and sharing it with us.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Here are some other recipes and ramblings you might enjoy...
Where To Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day In Ireland
What The Irish Eat For Saint Patrick's Day
Fruit Rainbow for Saint Patrick's Day
Fred
Loved the story you posted. I have visited the grave stone and the area was beautiful. I follow you and yes have tried some of the recipes you have posted and enjoyed them very much. My ancestors are from Ireland and I live in the USA. However I have traveled to Ireland twice and look forward to returning again this fall. Thank You very much and Best Wishes to you always...... Fred
Irish American Mom
Hi Fred - Thanks so much for following my blog. I really appreciate it. I confess I have never visited St. Patrick's grave site. It's on my ever so long "Ireland To Do" list.
Hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day.
Mairéad
Brighid O'Sullivan
Great post, Mairead and I love this site. Some Irish history was so long ago that some of the facts cannot possibly be proven although I have to disagree with a couple from the above post. Christianity did not abolish Pagan rites. Paganism still flourished in Ireland to some extent right up to the Viking and British invasions. That was the cool thing that did not happen with religion in other countries, which were usually abolished by wars. The other fact I have to disagree with and this .. based on Patrick's own letters, he was not a stowaway when he left Ireland 6 years later. He was invited by the sailors to board the ship, although he probably did escape his slave master so I can see how the fact would get misinterpreted. . In fact when the boat Patrick was on finally reached land the sailors begged Patrick to pray to his God to find them food and he did. A pack of wild pigs appeared. This is also in Patrick's letters. I have more on St Patrick on my blog @ Celticthoughts.com Thank you for all these wonderful facts about St Patrick. Brighid O'Sullivan
Irish American Mom
Hi Brighid - Thanks so much for adding these interesting facts about St. Patrick. I love how you read so much about Irish history and share it with everyone on your blog.
Best wishes, and I hope you had a lovely St. Patrick's Day.
Mairéad