Explore the Spiritual Heritage of Ireland

An introduction to Saint Patrick, the saints of Ireland, the foundations of early Irish Christianity, and the traditions that continue today.

Who Was Saint Patrick?

Learn about the life, mission, and legacy of Ireland’s patron saint — from captivity to conversion.

Irish Saints

Discover the men and women who carried Christianity across Ireland and beyond — teachers, monks, missionaries, and scholars.

Early Irish Christianity

Understand how faith, learning, and culture merged in early Ireland, creating a unique Christian tradition.

St Patrick’s Day Traditions

Explore how history, faith, and folklore shaped one of the world’s most recognized celebrations.

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Which Irish Saint Are You?

Each Irish saint had a distinct calling. Take a short quiz to discover which path reflects your character and values.

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Sacred Sites & Holy Wells of Ireland

Each Irish saint had a distinct calling. Take a short quiz to discover which path reflects your character and values.

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Map

Sacred Sites & Holy Wells of Ireland

Each Irish saint had a distinct calling. Take a short quiz to discover which path reflects your character and values.

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TIMELINE

Timeline Of Saint Patrick And Early Irish Christianity

  • Pre-Patrician Context

    c. 350-390

    Birth of Patrick’s parents and grandparents in Roman Britain during the final decades of effective Roman administration

    367

    “Barbarian Conspiracy”: coordinated attacks on Roman Britain by Irish, Picts, and Saxons demonstrate the vulnerability of Britain’s western and northern frontiers to Irish raiding

    383-388

    Magnus Maximus rules Britain as emperor, then unsuccessfully campaigns in Europe; his troop withdrawals begin the process of reducing Britain’s military capacity

    c. 390-395 (?)

    Birth of Patrick at Bannavem Taburniae somewhere in western Roman Britain, possibly Cumbria, Wales, or the Severn Valley region

    401-402

    Stilicho withdraws legions from Britain to defend Italy against Goths, further reducing British defenses

    406-407

    Constantine III withdraws remaining field army units from Britain for his continental campaign; Britain’s formal military defenses effectively collapse

  • Patrick’s Early Life and Captivity

    c. 406-410 (?)

    Patrick, aged sixteen, captured by Irish raiders along with “thousands” of others in a large-scale slave-taking expedition. Transported to Ireland and sold into slavery, likely in northern or western territories

    406-412 (?)

    Patrick serves as a slave shepherd for six years. Develops intensive prayer practice (up to 100 prayers daily) and genuine Christian faith despite earlier religious indifference. Learns Irish language and gains intimate knowledge of Irish society, customs, and political structures

    410

    Traditional date of Honorius’s rescript to British cities telling them to arrange their own defense; effective end of Roman administration of Britain

    c. 412 (?)

    Patrick escapes slavery following a dream in which he is told a ship awaits him. Travels approximately 200 miles to a port

    c. 412-413 (?)

    Patrick boards ship and departs Ireland. Journey includes 28-day wilderness travel after landing, severe provisions shortages, and eventual return to Britain and reunion with family

  • Formation and Calling Period

    c. 413-425 (?)

    Patrick spends time with family in Britain but experiences another dream: Victoricus brings letters from the Irish, and Patrick hears them calling him to return and “walk among us again”

    c. 420s-430s (?)

    Patrick undergoes religious formation and is eventually ordained. Location uncertain; later tradition places him in Gaul, possibly at Auxerre or Lérins, but Patrick never mentions continental training. British church formation is equally possible

    429

    Germanus of Auxerre and Lupus of Troyes visit Britain to combat Pelagianism, demonstrating ongoing contact between British and Gallic churches

    431

    Pope Celestine sends Palladius as “first bishop to the Irish believing in Christ” according to Prosper of Aquitaine’s chronicle. This indicates Christian presence in Ireland before Patrick, probably in southeastern territories. Fate and success of Palladius’s mission unknown

  • Patrick’s Mission to Ireland

    c. 432-435 (?)

    Traditional date for beginning of Patrick’s mission to Ireland as bishop. More secure dating places this sometime in the 430s or 440s. Patrick works primarily in northern and western territories, away from areas where Palladius may have established churches

    c. 435-461(?)

    Period of Patrick’s active mission work in Ireland, though exact duration uncertain.

    c. 450s (?)

    Incident involving Coroticus, British Christian ruler whose soldiers raid Ireland, kill newly baptized Christians, and enslave others who are sold to Picts. Patrick writes angry letter of excommunication but has no power to compel return of captives

    c. 455-460(?)

    Patrick writes Confessio in old age, defending his life and mission against critics who questioned his credentials, conduct, and the authenticity of his Irish converts’ Christianity

    c. 461 (?)

    Traditional death date for Patrick, though alternative chronology places death at 493. Most scholars favor the earlier date based on internal evidence and references in continental sources

  • Post-Patrician Development of Irish Christianity

    465-500

    Period of obscurity regarding Irish Christianity’s development. Multiple missionaries, influences, and local developments contribute to the distinctive character of Irish Christian practice

    Late 5th century

    Christianity continues spreading in Ireland through multiple channels: Patrician communities, possibly Palladian churches in southeast, and new missionaries from Britain and continent. Emergence of early monastic communities

    c. 500-550

    Rapid development of Irish monasticism, drawing on Egyptian, Gallic, and British influences but developing distinctively Irish characteristics.

    521

    Death of Brigid of Kildare according to annalistic tradition. Brigid becomes major female saint alongside Patrick and Columba in Irish tradition, though historical details of her life are even more obscure than Patrick’s

    563

    Columba founds Iona, establishing a monastery that will become a major center for mission to Scotland and scholarly production

    c. 590-615

    Columbanus and other Irish missionaries begin extensive continental activity, founding monasteries in Gaul and Italy, demonstrating the strength and confidence of Irish Christianity

  • Development of Patrician Cult and Hagiography

    7th century

    Armagh emerges as primary center claiming Patrician authority and primacy over Irish churches. Development of elaborate church claims based on Patrick’s supposed grant of authority

    c. 632

    Possible composition date for earliest Patrician hagiographical materials, though nothing survives from this period

    c. 640s-650s

    Irish church controversies over proper date for Easter and other liturgical matters; different Irish churches follow different continental models

    664

    Synod of Whitby: Northumbrian church decides to follow Roman rather than Irish Easter calculation, beginning decline of distinctive Irish practices in Britain

    c. 670-700

    Composition of major Patrician hagiographies: – Muirchú’s Vita Sancti Patricii – Tírechán’s Collectanea

    c. 700-750

    Development of Patrician liturgical materials, hymns, and prayers. Composition of prayers later attributed to Patrick, including (probably) the Lorica

  • Development of Patrician Cult and Hagiography (2)

    c. 807

    Birth of Patrick’s parents and grandparents in Roman Britain during the final decades of effective Roman administration

    Early 9th century

    Peak of scholarly production at Irish monasteries; extensive biblical commentary, hagiography, and legal texts. Irish missionaries, scholars, and manuscripts influential throughout Europe

    c. 1100s-1180

    Period of church reform in Ireland; increasing alignment with continental church structures; development of territorial dioceses

    1185

    Alleged translation of relics of Patrick, Brigid, and Columba to Downpatrick, creating composite burial site of Ireland’s three national saints

  • Later Medieval Period

    12th-14th centuries

    Elaboration of Patrician legend in later medieval Irish literature; additional miracle stories, expanded geographical associations, development of pilgrimage sites

    1191

    Foundation of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, where the Bachall Ísu (staff of Jesus, attributed to Patrick) becomes important relic and oath-taking object

    Late Medieval Period

    Croagh Patrick, Lough Derg, and other sites develop as major pilgrimage centers with extensive Patrician associations

    1538

    Destruction of Bachall Ísu during Reformation by order of Archbishop George Browne as part of suppression of “superstitious” practices and relic veneration

  • Modern Period

    17th-19th centuries

    Development of March 17 as major feast day; emergence of St. Patrick’s Day as celebration of Irish identity, particularly in diaspora communities

    20th-21st centuries

    Scholarly reassessment of Patrick based on critical analysis of authentic writings versus later hagiographical expansion; increasing recognition of the historical Patrick versus legendary developments

This timeline synthesizes information from Patrick’s authentic writings, early Irish sources, and the historical context of fifth-century Britain and Ireland. Dates marked with (?) indicate scholarly uncertainty; alternative dating schemes exist for many entries.

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