For most people, St. Patrick's day means wearing green and drinking "green" beer. But how many of you know the actual history of St. Patrick’s Day? I looked into the mystery some years ago. (I actually used children’s books. I find them great resources since they’re very succinct. So, if any of my information is wrong, blame the kid’s books.)
The Real St. Patrick
St. Patrick was a bishop who lived around 385-460 A.D. He was one of the most popular saints in Ireland, even though his real name was not Patrick and he was not born in Ireland. His real name was “Maewyn Succat”, and many scholars believe he was actually born in Scotland or England. He referred to himself as “patricius” in his writings, which is Latin for “well-born”. The name became Patrick is the English version.
When St. Patrick was a boy he was taken as a slave to Ireland where he was put to work tending sheep. It was during those years in captivity that he found comfort in God. After six years, he escaped. However, St. Patrick felt he was being called to teach God’s word so he spent the next few years studying in a monastery. Then he returned to Ireland where he lived for the rest of his life.
Have you ever read the book “How The Irish Saved Civilization” by Thomas Cahill? If not, you absolutely should, especially if you like history. The premise of the book is that while the rest of Europe was mired in the Dark Ages, Ireland experienced a Golden Age. Irish monks were responsible for copying every piece of literature they could get their hands on. They almost single-handedly preserved the history of the Western culture, as well as some of our greatest literary works. Nearly every written word from before the Middle Ages exists today because of them. If not for the Irish we wouldn’t have The Bible or Homer’s Iliad or Aristotle’s philosophy, no Greek tragedies, no Roman law. The man responsible for this Golden Age in Ireland was none other than St. Patrick.
One last note...the day we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), is not his birthday but rather the day of his death.
One last question...how many of you can claim Irish ancestry? I have some on both sides. although it's been so long since my relatives left the "old country" that any true Irishness has been lost. What about you?
Kristin Wallace is a USA Today Bestselling Author of sweet contemporary and inspirational romance filled with "Love, Laughter, and a Leap of Faith". It's not too late to pick up her holiday box set featuring three Christmas romances (Finding You At Christmas, Falling For You At Christmas, and Loving You At Christmas). Christmas in Shellwater Key is available on Kindle Unlimited so go ahead and scoop it up now.
One last question...how many of you can claim Irish ancestry? I have some on both sides. although it's been so long since my relatives left the "old country" that any true Irishness has been lost. What about you?
Kristin Wallace is a USA Today Bestselling Author of sweet contemporary and inspirational romance filled with "Love, Laughter, and a Leap of Faith". It's not too late to pick up her holiday box set featuring three Christmas romances (Finding You At Christmas, Falling For You At Christmas, and Loving You At Christmas). Christmas in Shellwater Key is available on Kindle Unlimited so go ahead and scoop it up now.
8 comments:
DNA tests as well as genealogy searches show I do have Irish roots. My maternal great grandmother emigrated from Ireland. While I may have Irish/Celtic genes, they are not as strong as my Northern European (William The Conqueror) genes.
We found one Irish ancestor who came over in the late 1800s. Happy St. Pat's Day!
I definitely have Irish in me. Wasn't St. Paddy also responsible for chasing all the snakes out of Ireland and into the sea? When we lived in CA the Catholic Church in San Francisco always talked about the snakes and also, I believe St. Patrick's day was the day one could bring their pets to be blessed by the priest .
Tomorrow I'm cooking cabbage and corned beef just as my mom and Grandma always did to celebrate.
Good blog post.
Since I am Diana (above)'s sister, I have Irish ancestors, too. I'm ordering the book you recommend, Kristin. My husband and I both love history. I knew some of the history you describe, but the impact of what the monks did, not so much. Nor St. Patrick's connection, or I'd forgotten it! Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!
Great post - lots of interesting tidbits. I didn't know St Patrick was responsible for the Irish 'Golden Age'. I'd heard or read that he was from Scotland - the two countries are very close geographically and a lot of trading and 'mixing' went on. While my ancestors were from the Scottish highlands, I wouldn't be surprised if a molecule or two of Irish blood got mixed in.
Very informative. I suppose I could claim black Irish. Lol.
Very interesting - thanks for the history lesson. It was fascinating - especially about the "Golden Age." I do not have Irish in my background, but English and Scottish, so who knows (as Luanna mentioned above )
Wonderful information. You are so right that we owe a lot to monks who did all the writing not only of religious texts but of literature.
My great grandmother immigrated from Ireland as a small child of three or four years old in 1890 from County Cork. They were Irish catholic, as many who had come before them. One of these days I will write her story, as best we know it, as she was considered the black sheep of the family. Traveled by WagonTrain to Idaho in her teens. Married 5 times that we can document. I believe she was a lady of the evening for a short time.
I've traveled to Ireland once on my honeymoon. We spent time in Scotland, where we got married, and then Ireland. Unfortunately, on that trip we didn't get down to Cork. I hope one day to return and learn more about how it has changed since the late 1800s.
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