Read the different parts of the story about St. Patrick and re-write them in correct order in your copy book.
Patrick was very lonely during his years on Sliabh Mish and he prayed to God 100 times each day and night
Patrick went home to his family in Wales and decided to become a priest. He was later ordained and was consecrated a bishop
Sometime later, Patrick had another dream. He heard the Irish people calling him back to teach them all about the one true God.
The raiders sold Patrick as a slave and he spent 6 years working as a shepherd for a farmer, named Milchiu, on Slieve Mish in Co. Antrim
Patrick was born in Wales close to the banks of the River Severn. When he was 16 years old, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold as a slave.
One night Patrick had a dream in which he heard a voice telling him to escape from Ireland and to return to his family in Wales.
Patrick walked a long way to the coast and managed to stow away on a boat returning to Britain.
St. Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland and is known where ever there are Irish people around the world. His feast day is celebrated on 17th March every year.
Holy Places associated with Saint Patrick
Lough Derg, Co. Donegal
Legend tells us that St. Patrick had a vision of life after death while he was in a cave on an island in Lough Derg in Co. Donegal. Other saints also visited the island and soon it became a place of pilgrimage. Today, people travel from all over Ireland to this island during the summer months and spend 3 days fasting and praying, without wearing any shoes or socks! You can find out more about this island by visiting www.loughderg.ie where you will see pictures of the island as well as reading about people’s experiences there.
Croagh Patrick:
This mountain on the shores of Clew Bay outside Westport in co. Mayo, is considered the holiest mountain in Ireland. In 441AD, Patrick spent 40 days and nights fasting there. Every year, about a million pilgrims climb Croagh Patrick. The most popular day to climb is on the last Sunday in July. It is called Reek Sunday. For more information, visit www.croagh-patrick.com
Can you name any places with Patrick in the name? e.g. Patrickwell in Co. Limerick is one.
Many local townlands and villages have the word WELL or TOBAR or TUBBER in their names. Ballintubber is one. Can you name any other? Many of these holy wells are associated with either St. Patrick or other holy person.
The Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel in Co. Tipperary is sometimes called St. Patrick’s Rock, Carraig Phádraig. Legend tells us that it was here Patrick baptised Aenghus, the King of Munster, in the 5th century. Find out more on www.cashel.ie
Slane, Co. Meath
When Patrick returned to Ireland as a bishop in 432 AD, he lit the first Easter fire on the Hill of Slane. This hill was close to the Hill of Tara, where the High King of Ireland, accompanied by the druids, lit the old pagan fire. The Easter fire is sometimes called the Paschal Fire and is still lit on Holy Saturday night.
Downpatrick
It is believed that St. Patrick is buried in the grounds of the cathedral, in Downpatrick, Co. Down. He died in 461 approximately.
It is said that St. Brigid is buried close by.
