Patrick of Ireland

Life and work

Patrick's own writing, the Confessio, is the only reliably authentic source for his life. Born in Roman Britain to a Christian family (his father was a deacon), he was captured by Irish raiders at around age sixteen and enslaved for six years, tending sheep and, in his account, deepening his faith through prayer during his captivity.

Patrick escaped, made his way back to Britain, and reported a vision calling him to return to Ireland as a missionary. After ecclesiastical training, he went back to the land of his enslavement, this time to preach the gospel among a largely pagan Celtic population.

Patrick's Confessio describes conflict with British ecclesiastical superiors who questioned his fitness and legitimacy, and it defends his mission and character against these charges — a rare firsthand glimpse of the anxieties of an early medieval missionary bishop.

The vast body of later Patrick legend — driving snakes from Ireland, using the shamrock to explain the Trinity, lighting the Paschal fire on the Hill of Slane — developed in hagiographies written centuries after his death and cannot be verified from his own writing, though they shaped his enduring popular image.

Dating

Dates for Patrick are notoriously uncertain; traditional dating (390–461) rests on later medieval annals of dubious precision, and scholars continue to debate whether he should be dated to the earlier or later fifth century.

Historical evidence

In their own words

"I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful..."Confessio, §1

Further reading

• Encyclopedia Britannica: Saint Patrick
• Confessio.ie: Patrick's Confessio (translated text)