Saint Patrick

Patrick, Saint (c.385–461), Christian missionary, patron saint of Ireland. Controversy surrounds his identity, dates, and works. In the popular version he was born in Roman Britain, was captured by pagan Irish, and was enslaved for 6 years. After escaping to Gaul and studying there, he returned (432) to convert Ireland, winning spectacular success in Ulster. He founded an archiepiscopal see in Armagh (444 or 445). Author of the autobiographical Confessions, he died in a Christianized Ireland. His feast day is March 17.