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Saint Patrick was born in Wales, in the late fourth century.
His parents belonged to a high-ranking Roman family.
His father was called Calpurnius and his mother was called Conchessa.
When he was 16, he was captured by raiders and sold as a slave to an Irish farmer in County Antrim. The farmer’s name was Milchu.
Patrick had to mind sheep and pigs, on a hill called Sliabh Mis and he wasn’t treated very well. He was often so hungry that he had to eat the animal’s food.
Patrick had a very lonely life, and spent most of his time praying
One night, Patrick heard a voice in a dream. It was God. He told Patrick to leave the mountain and to go to the harbour in County Waterford, where there would be a boat waiting for him to bring him home.
Patrick trusted the voice, so he set off on his journey. He escaped from Ireland and returned to his family in Wales.
Patrick always thought about his life as a slave in Ireland and he continued to
pray to God. Patrick knew what he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to become a priest.
Patrick knew that the people of Ireland did not know about God (they were pagans) and he wanted to return to Ireland to teach them. For 60 years, Patrick travelled all around Ireland, telling people about Jesus.
He died in County Down on 17th March 461. This is the date which is now celebrated as St Patrick’s Day.
