Saint Patrick's Day: 17 March

Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland
His day is celebrated on 17 March, often with symbols of Ireland such as the shamrock, and the colour green
Patrick was an Englishman who was captured as a boy by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland.
He managed eventually to escape and made his way to France where he studied to become a priest.
When he was made a bishop he was sent back to Ireland to spread the Christian faith amongst the tribes there.
One story tells of Patrick getting rid of all the snakes in Ireland by praying.
A more likely story is how he explained the Christian belief of the Trinity or the idea that God is three in one - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - by using a shamrock with its three parts.
The shamrock is now the emblem of Ireland
Some people believe that Saint Patrick died on 17 March, 460 AD
Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated around the world, wherever people of Irish descent live.

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