St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Scotland, in 387 and died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on 17 March, 461. Patrick was captured in a raid at age 14 and taken to Ireland where he was kept as a slave until his escape at age 20. During his captivity he became more and more pious. Following his escape and return to Britain he studied and became ordained. He then returned to Ireland in 433 and began converting thousands of pagans, building many churches. - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89

"St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years." - http://www.history.com/content/stpatricksday/history-of-the-holiday
Source(s):
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89
http://www.history.com/content/stpatricksday/history-of-the-holiday


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