Erin Go Bragh

It is doubtful that the legend is true. But he was a great man. His history is so overlaid with legend that it is hard to tell what is true and what isn't. Let's look at a few known facts about his life.

1) He lived from c.385 to 461 A.D.
2) He was one of the most successful missionaries in history. He is known as the Apostle of Ireland.
3) He was born in Britain into a Christian family of Roman Citizenship.
4) He was captured by Irish marauders at age 16 and enslaved as a herdsman.
5) After 6 years he escaped to Gaul and wandered around the continent for some years.
6) He entered the monastery at Lerins and received the tonsure.
7) c. 413 he returned to his native Britain and lived with relatives.
8) He received a vision that called him to return to Ireland to Christianize it.
9) He spent 12 years at Auxerre on the continent to perfect himself as a missionary.
10) In 432 he was consecrated and landed near Saul in Ireland and began his missionary work.
11) He converted Ireland tribe by tribe.
12) By the time of his death almost all of Ireland was Christianized.
13) At Patrick's insistence, the traditional laws of Ireland were codified and modified to harmonize with Christian practice.
14) He introduced the Roman alphabet to Ireland.
15) He is said to have had a winning personality.