St. Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland and is rumoured to have driven the snakes out of Ireland as well as introducing the shamrock to the island!
Source(s):
Here's more of the actual history behind St. Patrick. Pretty intersting!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Patrick

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St. Patrick was patron saint of Ireland. He was paramount in laying the groundwork to establish the Irish monastery system. He was enslaved at one point, when he was 16. Born some time in AD 387 and died 17 March, 461.
Source(s):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/patrick_1.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Patrick

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Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland as he was the one who brought Christianity to the Irish.

According to legend, Saint Patrick used a shamrock to explain about God. The shamrock, which looks like clover, has three leaves on each stem. Saint Patrick told the people that the shamrock was like the idea of the Trinity – that in the one God there are three divine beings: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The shamrock was sacred to the Druids, so Saint Patrick’s use of it in explaining the trinity was very wise.
Source(s):
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/patrick/about.htm

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St. Patrick was Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387 and died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461 or 493.

http://www.eat-online.net/images/schools/st.patrick.jpg

As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him. During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer.

http://www.igp-web.com/down/images/St-Patrick.gif

He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years. Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.

http://www.goireland.com/vacations/pics/selfdrive_st_patrick.jpg

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering.

Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and this has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.

You can find a detailed biography here:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11554a.htm
Source(s):
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89

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