Guestling Bradshaw CE Primary School

Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the 5th Century. Although his father was a deacon, Patrick was not a believer. When he was 16 he was captured by pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave – he came to think of this as punishment for his lack of faith. He was put to work, herding sheep on Slemish Mountain in County Antrim.

There he spent much of his time praying. One day he heard a voice, telling him that he would soon return home and that his ship was ready. He escaped: making his way to a port where he stowed away on a boat bound for Britain, and was eventually reunited with his family.

Patrick decided to follow his vocation to become a priest: he spent several years studying and after a dream he was inspired to return to Ireland. There, as the country’s second bishop, he brought the message of Christ to many people who had never heard it. According to legend, he used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to them. As a missionary Patrick baptised many thousands. But it was not an easy task: not only was Patrick’s life threatened by the local pagan chiefs but he was often criticised by his fellow clergy, which hurt him deeply. He longed to return home, but he knew his duty and remained in Ireland. Patrick died on March 17th around 461.

St. Patrick’s Day was made an official feast day in the early 17th Century, observed by the Roman Catholic and Anglican church (especially the Church of Ireland). While for Christians, the day commemorates the bringing of Christianity to Ireland, the day has become more of a secular celebration of Irish culture. The day is a public holiday in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Parades and festivals, céilithe, take place all over Ireland and amongst Irish communities around the world. Many people dress in green or wear shamrocks or leprechaun hats. Christians attend church services, and the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day.