Local history with Monica McGill: St Patrick is part of our history and culture

ALTHOUGH sometimes taken for granted, St Patrick’s influence can be observed in Ireland to the present day in the realms of our religious, social, political and cultural landscapes both nationally and internationally.

With certainty, can this legacy be attributed to any other individual who lived in 5th century Ireland?

Celebrating St Patrick’s feast day has become much more than a Christian holy day, important though that is.

The 17th of March marks a fortnight of events in Ireland, celebrating what it is to be Irish in almost every meaning of the word, and all are welcome to experience it – whether they are of Irish lineage or not, whether they are at home in Ireland or abroad.

There is no doubt that St Patrick was a real person.  Two of his extant writings – his Confessio and Epistola – were composed in hesitant Latin, according to the experts.

Fortunately, they have survived and are available in English translation.

The introduction on the webpage contains more information about St Patrick than can be included here.

St Patrick’s Confessio might today be perceived as his autobiography, written towards the end of his life.  It starts “I am a sinner, a simple country person and the least of all believers. I am looked down upon by many.”

Clearly, St Patrick wrote his Confessio himself. A ‘ghost writer’ would not have been as humble, and would have praised St Patrick’s many virtues to a legendary degree. Goodness knows, legends have grown over time to fill in the gaps in our knowledge of the saint. However, even in translation, Patrick’s own personality shines through – his truthfulness, humanity, resourcefulness and courage.

He mentions the great opposition he experienced in his ministry as Bishop in Ireland. He is forthright about his failings.

St Patrick gives tantalising details about his family background (Christian and quite well-to-do officials in service to the Roman Empire).

He names his home-place in Latin. The location is frankly untraceable at the moment, though thought to be in Wales or Western England.

Kidnapped as a young teenager, Patrick was forced to work as a slave minding pigs on a wet, cold and lonely mountainside in Ireland (Slemish, in Co. Antrim).

He was often hungry, and had little shelter. He despised the derisory name of “Pig-man” given him by his slave-owner. Patrick attributed his survival to his belief in God’s providence.

After many years in slavery, Patrick escaped and returned to his home place  – but he kept the route a secret.  Imagine his family’s dismay at suddenly losing him, and then their surprise and joy at his return.

What changes did he find when he returned home?

Patrick doesn’t say exactly when he decided to become a priest. Doubtless after he had escaped from slavery, he would have had to study hard to make up for his education, which was ended abruptly when he was kidnapped.

Further education would have been necessary to be ordained. It is thought he studied on the European continent, possibly at Rome.

Eventually, the Pope at the time sent him back to Ireland to care for Christians here.

He arrived on our shores for the second time in 432AD, one of the earliest reliable dates in Irish history.

His mission was to continue the ministry of a former Bishop to Ireland who had died here.

Sadly, St Patrick never saw his family again, even for a short visit.

He was afraid of what might befall his Christian flock in his absence. His life of care and service for the people is evident and he was fully aware of the dangerous situations he had to deal with.

He was accused of being a liar, which particularly stung him. Patrick died in Ireland when he was an old man.

His burial place is said to be in either Downpatrick, or in Armagh where he established his religious “head quarters”.

St Patrick’s other extant written piece is called his Epistola.

Evidently, it’s the second of two letters he wrote to the leader of a marauding band of brigands who had attacked Christians returning home after Patrick himself had just baptised them.

Some of the people were killed, the rest were sold as slaves. Patrick is forthright in his condemnation of the attackers’ actions, courageously expressing his anger when it clearly might have been safer for him to be less direct.

It is possible that Irish raiders kidnapped Patrick – Dublin was a recognised centre in Europe at about this time for slave-trading. Little did they know that this youngster would become our best-known patron saint, with so much influence even today.

These days, annually on March 17th, Ireland’s national representatives enjoy a high degree of access to the U.S. President, an access envied by representatives of other countries.

Is it stretching things too far to wonder how strong the Irish diaspora in America and elsewhere would have been without St Patrick’s feast day, and the beneficial influence of Irish-American leaders on our Peace Process?

At home, our St Patrick’s Day parades are responsible for increased visitor numbers each year. Similar parades in other parts of the world take place where people of Irish descent celebrate St Patrick and Irish-ness in all its cultural aspects.

At home and abroad, many notable football and other clubs and associations are named after St Patrick, be they sporting, social or religious affiliations.

For many years, parents included Patrick or Patricia in their children’s first names and “Paddy” is still the generic nickname bestowed on Irish people generally, especially when they are abroad.

Again this year, our local St Patrick’s Day parade will take place thanks to the dedication and hard work of the committee in charge and other local volunteers.  People can again enjoy our parade as it weaves its way along our village streets, and we can take part in Seachtain na Gaeilge.

St Patrick is part of our history, part of our culture, part of us. Enjoy the celebrations in peaceful freedom, and remember to thank St Patrick, whose image is included in the stained glass window over the High Altar in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin village.