Saint Patrick (c. 389 – 4 March 492) was a bishop and monastic leader in Ireland, and is the patron saint of Ireland.
Saint Patrick is the only one to have ever been the patron saint of an entire country. He was kidnapped from his home in 385 by Irish raiders from Scotland, taken as a slave to Ireland, and sold as a slave by his masters. In his enslavement he was named "Bishop of Armagh." Later, according to tradition, he escaped from slavery and returned to Britain
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He is said to have returned to Ireland around 484 CE, becoming a bishop on the island of Iona about five years later. He died on March 17th, 492 at the age of 72 or 73 years old. Visitors to his shrine at Downpatrick Down in Ulster speak of a gentle man who had been given a mission by God to spread Christianity throughout Ireland.
Saint Patrick's birthday is observed as a national holiday, Saint Patrick's Day on 17 March.
In Northern Ireland this day coincides with "Carnival", which celebrates Irish culture and heritage with parades and events including the famous "Leprechaun Races". In Southern Ireland it coincides with "Lá na Páistí" – the beginning of summer holidays – which signifies the beginning of increasing amounts of rain and warmer weather. On this day there is a parade in his honor through the streets of Dublin city.
The Irish have a custom of wearing green on Saint Patrick's Day as an outward sign that they are celebrating their patron saint; however some also wear it as an outward sign of their membership in certain Catholic fraternities such as The Knights of St Patrick (The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick). A popular rendition of Saint Patrick's Day is that involving traditional Irish music and dancing; though more commonly known as 'the craic', it has its roots in late 1960s hippie culture and has become one of the most popular forms of popular music and entertainment throughout Ireland (and abroad). Because Saint Patrick's Day falls on a Sunday, many pubs and shops close on Monday instead, thus creating an extra day off for those who wish to celebrate on this national holiday.
Saint Patrick's Day Celebrations: For many people Saint Patrick's Day will be spent visiting family or friends, eating good food such as boiled potatoes or corned beef and cabbage or bangers & mash (Irish sausage & mash), drinking Guinness beer and watching films
