While the “apostle of Ireland” Saint Patrick is a historical figure, many tales of his life belong to the realm of myth and legend.
Did Irish Pirates Abduct St. Patrick (and Sell Him Into Slavery)?
Patrick himself wrote that he was abducted by Irish pirates and enslaved in Ireland for six years, but is that the real story?
Crom Cruach Explained: Demystifying Pagan Ireland’s Greatest Idol
A god, a demon, a goblin, an idol: whatever Crom Cruach is, we know St. Patrick destroys it (according to legend)
The Irish Goddess Brigid vs. Saint Brigid
Did Saint Brigid actually exist? Or was she a reimagining of the Irish pagan goddess (or a druidess) of the same name?
The Pagan Origins of St. Patrick’s Day
Why is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated on March 17th? Turns out there’s much more to the story than most people realize.
Book Giveaway: Saint Patrick in Your Pocket
Introducing the latest book in my Celtic Pocket Guides series, Saint Patrick in Your Pocket: 20 Questions With the Apostle of Ireland
The Top 10 Books About St. Patrick
The legacy of St. Patrick is a combination of fact and fiction, history and fantasy. These are the most popular books that tell his story.
Was St. Patrick a Martyr?
St. Patrick tells us in his Confession that he was ready to give his life to spread the Gospel in Ireland. But did he die a martyr?
Was St. Patrick a Murderer? Why Did He Write His Confession?
St. Patrick famously wrote a confession, but to what did he confess? One historian makes the case for murder.
Did St. Patrick Commit Genocide? Did He Kill Pagans? Did He Battle Druids?
Was St. Patrick on a mission of peace, or did he use violence to convert the pagans of Ireland to Christianity?
Was St. Patrick Catholic?
The answer seems obvious. But once you start peeling back the layers, you’ll see why some call St. Patrick’s Catholicness into question.
Was St. Patrick Gay?
It gets awful lonely up in the Slieve Mish Mountains. Did St. Patrick ever seek something beyond plutonic male companionship?
Was St. Patrick Married?
History tells us that St. Patrick had a special fondness for members of the opposite sex. But did he ever tie the knot?
Did St. Patrick Have Siblings?
Was St. Patrick an only child? History tells us one story, legend another. Learn about Patrick’s family ties.
Did St. Patrick Speak Irish?
It’s likely he grew up speaking Welsh. And he had to learn Latin to become a priest. But did St. Patrick ever learn Irish?
Did St. Patrick Perform Miracles?
Sainthood requires miracles. So what miracles (if any) did St. Patrick perform during his ministry in Ireland?
Did St. Patrick Bring Christianity to Ireland?
That was his whole thing, right? Turns out Patrick wasn’t the first Christian proselytizer to set foot on Irish soil.
Was St. Patrick Really a Saint?
I mean, it’s in the name, right? But here’s the thing: “Saint” Patrick was never formally canonized by a pope.
Was St. Patrick an Engineer?
He’s the patron saint of engineers, but did Patrick ever roll up those green sleeves and get his hands dirty?
What Was St. Patrick’s Job?
Before he became a preacher, St. Patrick had another vocation. Granted, it was not one he chose for himself.
Where Did St. Patrick Get His Staff?
No image of St. Patrick would be complete without a pastoral staff (re: shepherd’s crook or crozier) in his hand. But where did he get it?
Why Did St. Patrick Change His Name?
The world now knows him as Patrick, but his family knew him under a different moniker: Maewyn Succat. Why the rebrand?
Did St. Patrick Dress in Green?
“The wearing of the green” is a time-honored St. Patrick’s Day tradition. But did the man himself actually get decked out in emerald?
Did St. Patrick Use the Shamrock to Teach the Trinity?
It’s become the official symbol of *his* day, but did St. Patrick really teach Irish pagans about the Trinity with the help of a shamrock?
Did St. Patrick Chase the Snakes Out of Ireland?
Driving the snakes out of Ireland is one of St. Patrick’s biggest claims to fame, but does this serpentine story hold up?
Was St. Patrick Irish? English? Welsh? Scottish? Italian? French?
Many assume that Ireland’s patron saint must have been Irish. The reality of St. Patrick’s nationality is more complicated.
Was St. Patrick a Real Person?
Did St. Patrick actually exist? Uncover the historical evidence that Patrick (re: Maewyn Succat) was a real (but often misunderstood) person
Brendan’s Final Voyage (A Short Story)
A short story based on the Irish legend of St. Brendan the Navigator, who (possibly) reached the Americas in the sixth century
The Ultimate St. Patrick’s Day Reading List: 17 Must-Read Books About Irish History and Culture
A mix of fiction and nonfiction, fantasy and history: these are 17 must-read books for any self-respecting celebrator of St. Patrick’s Day
20 Questions With St. Patrick: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the ‘Apostle of Ireland’
Where does the man end and the myth begin? Uncover some lesser-known facts (and well-known fictions) about Saint Patrick