St Patrick

Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. St Patrick's Day usually falls on March 17 but for 2008 the Vatican has decreed that St Patrick's Feast Day will be celebrated on 15th March as the 17th is the Monday before Easter. Church rules state that saint's feast days cannot be celebrated during Holy Week.

St Patrick is traditionally associated with the Shamrock plant, which he used to explain the concept of the Trinity.

St Patrick's value doesn't really come from the historical details, but from the inspiration of a man who returned to the country where he had been a child slave, in order to bring the message of Christ.

How did a fifth-century preacher become the toast of Dublin, Manhattan and even Lagos?
Facts in brief

St Patrick really existed
Born in Britain (probably in Wales) in 5th century AD
His father, Calpurnius, was a Roman official
St Patrick was originally a pagan, not a Christian
Taken to Ireland as a slave at age 16
Escaped after 6 years
Became a Christian priest, and later a Bishop
Returned to Ireland as a missionary
Played a major part in converting the Irish to Christianity
Some of his writings survive, the Confessio and the Letter to Coroticus

Doubtful extra facts in brief
Born in 387 AD at Banwen in Wales
His original name was Maewyn Succat; he became Patrick when he became a bishop
Studied in France at the monastery of St Martin's in Tours
Went to Ireland in 432 AD
Died either in 461 AD, or 493 AD (unlikely)
Taught by Saint Germaine