Saint Patrick: Life, Legend and Legacy, Marian Broderick

An engaging and rich exploration of Saint Patrick and his extraordinary influence on the world.

Forced into slavery at the age of fifteen, Patrick overcame all hardship to fulfil his calling: to bring the people of Ireland into the light of God's word. He carried out his mission of conversion and care at a crucial time of change, as Christianity spread across Romanised Europe and harnessed existing social structures and belief systems in Pagan Ireland.

Patrick met high kings and mythical heroes, Celtic gods and goddesses, lowly farmers and loyal servants, and he left lasting marks upon the Irish landscape and way of life. He was humble, courageous and resourceful, and was the first of Ireland's saints to write down his experiences. Thus began the cult of Saint Patrick, galvanised over 1500 years of devotion and scholarship, and culminating recently in the cheerful 'greening' of the world's most famous landmarks.

Drawing from recorded histories, 'tall tales' from all four provinces and beautiful illustrations, this is a light-hearted look at the global phenomenon of Saint Patrick, his life and his legacy, the facts and the fiction of his incredible journey from slave to international saint.

Table of Contents

Introduction page 09

Patrick Q&A 13

PART ONE: Ireland in Patrick’s Time 21

PART TWO: Patrick’s Story 77

PART THREE: Tall Tales from the Four Provinces 101

Northern Light: Stories from Ulster 104

Ends of the Earth: Stories from Connacht 122

Valley of the Kings: Stories from Leinster 141

From Myths to Monks: Stories from Munster 150

PART FOUR: The Greening of the World 163

Select Bibliography 195

Illustrations 200

Index of Place Names 201