Irish Saints
Saint Patrick
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He was taken from his village in Britain by Irish pirates when he was sixteen years old.
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He was taken from his village in Britain by Irish pirates when he was sixteen years old.
Life in Ireland was hard for Patrick. He missed his family. He couldn't speak the language and the people had a different religion and different customs. He wanted to go home. He prayed to God every day and every night. One night, six years later, he had a strange dream. In this dream a voice told him to run away to the coast where a ship would be waiting for him. The captain wouldn't let him on the ship at first but when they tried to sail away without him a big storm blew up and they had to turn back. The captain decided to let Patrick on board.
Patrick’s family were delighted to welcome him home. One night he had another strange dream. He dreamt that the people of Ireland were calling him back. They were asking him to teach them about God.
Patrick’s family were sorry to see him go but he decided that he should travel to France to become a priest. Later he became a bishop and was given permission by the Pope to travel back to Ireland to teach the Irish about Christianity.
Patrick’s family were delighted to welcome him home. One night he had another strange dream. He dreamt that the people of Ireland were calling him back. They were asking him to teach them about God.
Patrick’s family were sorry to see him go but he decided that he should travel to France to become a priest. Later he became a bishop and was given permission by the Pope to travel back to Ireland to teach the Irish about Christianity.
One story told about St. Patrick was that he went to the Hill of Tara, on the eve of the pagan festival, Bealtaine. He lit a fire. The tradition was that the High King of Ireland should be the first person to light a fire on the night. Patrick was arrested and brought before the High King. Patrick talked to the High King about God and he was so impressed that he converted to Christianity.
Saint Colmchille (Naomh Colmchille)
Colmchille was a descendent of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the pagan chieftain who brought St. Patrick to Ireland. He was born in the 6th century. When he was a young man he decided to leave his family and become a monk. He studied at the monastery of St. Enda on the Aran Islands and at the monastery of St. Finian in Clonard. He established his first monastery where Derry (Doire Cholmchille) is situated.
Colmchille was a descendent of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the pagan chieftain who brought St. Patrick to Ireland. He was born in the 6th century. When he was a young man he decided to leave his family and become a monk. He studied at the monastery of St. Enda on the Aran Islands and at the monastery of St. Finian in Clonard. He established his first monastery where Derry (Doire Cholmchille) is situated.
There was a story that Colmchille had to leave Ireland because of a quarrel he had with Finian. Finian owned a beautiful manuscript. Colmchille asked if he could make a copy of the book but Finian refused. Every night Colmchille sneaked into the scriptorium and copied sections of the book. One night Finian discovered what Colmchille was doing and they had a huge row. Finian wanted to keep the book because he said that it was a copy of his book. Colmchille said that he had done all the work and so the copy belonged to him. Eventually they agreed to speak to the High King to see which of them should keep the copy. The King agreed with Finian saying, "To every cow belongs its calf; to every book its copy." In other words, every copy of a book belonged to the owner of the original book. (This is the first recorded evidence of copyright law). Finian brought the book back to the monastery but Colmchille was furious. He went back home where he gathered an army to fight the High King. Lots of men were killed in the battle. Colmchille was very upset and ashamed. He vowed that he would leave Ireland forever.
Saint Brigid (Naomh Bríd)
Brigid was born around the year 450 A.D. Her father was a chieftain but her mother was a slave. Brigid was always trying to help poor people. She gave them food and clothes. This angered her father. He decided to sell her to the King of Leinster.
Brigid was told to stay in the chariot while her father spoke to the King. When her father came back with the King he realised that his sword was gone. He questioned Brigid. She told him that a beggar man had passed and asked for her help. She had given him the sword. Brigid's father was furious. However, the King insisted that she be set free.
Many young men asked for Brigid's hand in marriage but Brigid wanted to become a nun. She travelled around Ireland and established many convents. The most famous convent was built where the town of Kildare now stands.
There are many stories associated with St. Brigid. The most famous of these is a story in which she taught an old, dying chieftain about Christianity.
Brigid was born around the year 450 A.D. Her father was a chieftain but her mother was a slave. Brigid was always trying to help poor people. She gave them food and clothes. This angered her father. He decided to sell her to the King of Leinster.
Brigid was told to stay in the chariot while her father spoke to the King. When her father came back with the King he realised that his sword was gone. He questioned Brigid. She told him that a beggar man had passed and asked for her help. She had given him the sword. Brigid's father was furious. However, the King insisted that she be set free.
Many young men asked for Brigid's hand in marriage but Brigid wanted to become a nun. She travelled around Ireland and established many convents. The most famous convent was built where the town of Kildare now stands.
There are many stories associated with St. Brigid. The most famous of these is a story in which she taught an old, dying chieftain about Christianity.
The chieftain did not want to speak to Brigid but she sat down on his bed and picked up some of the rushes which were lying on the floor. Brigid started weaving the rushes and the chieftain asked her what she was doing. She told him that she was making a cross. She told him about Jesus dying on the cross, Just before he died the chieftain was baptised.
The 1st of February is her feast day. This day was originally an important pagan festival called Imbolc. Imbolc marked the coming of Spring. To this day people hang crosses in their homes to protect them from fire and lightning. There are different style of crosses all over the country.
Long ago girls dressed in white and went from door to door. They carried a doll made of straw which was meant to represent St. Bridget. This was called the brídeog. When they arrived at house they said a blessing and were given treats in return.
Long ago girls dressed in white and went from door to door. They carried a doll made of straw which was meant to represent St. Bridget. This was called the brídeog. When they arrived at house they said a blessing and were given treats in return.