The story of St Patrick the patron saint of Ireland… from Wales
Owen Williams
In 387 AD, a saint was born in Banwen, high in Wales’ Dulais Valley.
He would become the Celtic world’s most iconic figurehead. Every March, he is celebrated in towns and cities across the world.
To his adopted Irish home and kin, he is known simply as Saint Patrick.
Six years a slave
Born Maewyn Succat (Maewyn: Welsh for devoted friend; Succat: Pagan for warlike), in Bannavem Taberniae (now Banwen), the teenage Patrick (or Padraig) was captured and sold into slavery with “many thousands of people” by a group of Irish marauders that raided his family estate.
Six years a slave, Patrick lived an isolated existence as a shepherd.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! 🇮🇪
He’s Welsh, by he way… https://t.co/riDXTlMG5H
— Owen Williams 🏴 (@OwsWills) March 17, 2023
The then Ireland was a dangerous, pagan place. Divided into some 100 self-contained Celtic kingdoms.
Those who moved between became known as “grey dogs” and were often taken captive, relinquishing their rights.
Escaping his captors, a dream told Patrick it was time to leave Ireland. Returning home to Wales, he is said to have trained as a priest at Côr Tewdws in Llantwit Major, Britain’s oldest centre of learning.
Once ordained as a priest, he returned to Ireland as a missionary.
Patrick was a powerful, charismatic figure who attracted a large following, moving freely among Ireland’s kingdoms.
Familiar with the Irish language and culture, he adapted Celtic Paganism into his lessons of Christianity, rather than attempting to eradicate native beliefs.
He used bonfires to celebrate Easter, since the Irish were used to honouring their gods with fire.
The Celtic cross
Saint Patrick also superimposed a sun, a powerful native symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross.
Patrick’s mission in Ireland lasted approximately 30 years.
It is said that he died in 461 AD, on 17 March, now commemorated as St. Patrick’s Day.
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Llantwit Major, correctly known by its Welsh name as Llanilltud Fawr. There was no saint named Twit.
Indeed, correct. This is another bastardisation of our place names by those with the inability to understand the historical significance let alone have the ability to pronounce not only Cymru but Britain’s native language. And as with Brecon Beacons & Bannau Brycheiniog etc… want to see that name too consigned to the linguistic landfill and its original restored to his rightful place.
How ironic that every year millions around the world slap on green paint, ginger wigs, and celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day not knowing that Patrick (Patricus, Latin for Father) wasn’t even his real name or that he wasn’t even Irish, but an Old Welsh speaking native Briton whose birth name was Maegwyn (Succat). Note: Its been disputed whether it was Wales or stated by some historians , Strathclyde (Strat Clud it Ystrad Clud ) in Yr Hen Ogledd, modern day Scotland where Patrick was allegedly born & taken even though an Old Welsh speaking Welsh Kingdom. Fact: Yes, there were Romas… Read more »