St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. For all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery although the many stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false. They are the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling.

St. Patrick was actually born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died around 460 A.D. 

Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he was held in captivity for six years.  There is even question as to the location of his captivity. Some scholars declare he was held in Mount Slemish in County Antrim but is more likely he was held in County Mayo near Killala.

Lonely and afraid, Patrick turned to his religion for solace becoming a devout Christian, and it is then he is believed to have dreams of converting the Irish people from pagans to Christianity during his captivity.

After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped, and according to his writings, a voice, which he believed to be God’s, spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland. Patrick then walked nearly 200 miles from county Mayo, where it is believed he was held to the Irish coast. After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation where an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began his religious training course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland on a mission to minister and begin to covert the Irish.

Submitted by:  Deborah Bozell Donahue '64

Our country is now blessed with a population of Irish Americans who began immigrating in abundance even before the great potato famine of the 1800’s.

Each year, we as Irish Americans, celebrate a holiday known as Saint Patrick’s Day, in honor of the great Patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, mentioned in the above article.

 In many locations of our country, a parade is held in his honor as well, with floats and bands of all sizes marching in unisons in the streets of the cities. Town people are decked out in their emerald green colors while sipping on green beer and remembering the good times had by all back in ERIN.

For many of us who believe this custom originated back in Ireland, and was brought over to America with the immigrants, it was actually discovered, on our own streets of New York City.

Irish soldiers who were fighting for the British Army started this custom back on March 17, 1762, and it has been in existence ever since.  The Irishmen felt by reveling in the streets with dance and music, it reconnected them to their Irish roots.

The custom became so popular at that time, that shortly after the first parade appeared, Irish patriotism flourished in this country. It is still observed as one of the special holidays of our time, and is credited for the many societies like the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the Hibernian Society formed from this special parade.

Submitted by: Deborah Bozell Donahue '64