19 Facts About St. Patrick Most People Don’t Know

One of the most surprising facts about St. Patrick? He wasn’t Irish! Hard to believe? Just wait—there’s plenty more where that came from…

Despite being Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick was actually born in Roman Britain and arrived in Ireland the hard way—kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery.

Below, you’ll discover a clatter of fun facts about St. Patrick’s Day that’ll likely challenge what you thought you knew.

Fun facts about St. Patrick

The first section of our guide focuses on fun facts about St. Patrick – Ireland’s Patron Saint, while the second focuses on St. Patrick’s Day facts about the celebration itself.

Below, you’ll discover tales about pirates, snakes and the original colour associated with St. Patrick (it wasn’t green!).

1. St. Patrick wasn’t Irish

Yes—shock, horror! St. Patrick was actually British. It’s believed he was born in either Wales or Scotland, making this one of the most commonly misunderstood St. Patrick facts!

2. He was abducted at 16

St. Patrick was abducted at the age of 16 and brought to Northern Ireland as a slave. He was forced to tend to sheep for 6 years in the mountains.

3. He didn’t arrive in Ireland until 433

St. Patrick was born in Roman-Britain (Britain was under Roman rule for 350 years) circa 386 A.D. He didn’t arrive in Ireland until 433.

4. He died in 461

St. Patrick died in 461 in Saul, County Down, at the fine old age of (roughly) 75.

5. His name wasn’t Patrick

One of the more surprising St. Patrick’s Day facts revolves around his name. ‘Patrick’ is a name that he picked up along the way at some point. St. Patrick’s real name was ‘Maewyn Succat’.

6. A dream led him back to Ireland

After escaping his captures in Ireland, St. Patrick returned to Roman-Britain. It’s said that one night had a dream that the people of Ireland were calling him back to tell them about God. 

7. But not before he spent 12 years in France…

After having the dream that called him back to Ireland, he was worried. He felt unprepared for the task ahead.  St. Patrick decided that he must follow his studies first, to better equip himself for the task ahead.

He travelled to France where he trained in a monastery. It wasn’t for 12 years after the dream that he returned to Ireland.

8. His remains are believed to be at Down Cathedral

It’s believed that the remains of St. Patrick are buried at Down Cathedral in County Down.  This magnificent Cathedral is a Church of Ireland cathedral and it’s found on the site of a Benedictine Monastery.

9. He escaped Ireland by boat

According to St. Patrick’s Confession (a book that is said to have been written by St. Patrick), God told Patrick to flee his captures and make his way to the coast where a boat would be waiting to take him back home.

10. He used the shamrock in his teachings

St. Patrick is often associated with the shamrock. It’s said that, upon returning to Ireland, he used the three-leafed plant as a metaphor for the Hold Trinity. It is now one of the more notable symbols of Ireland, along with the Celtic Cross.

11. He didn’t banish snakes

Many believe that St. Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland. However, there were never snakes in Ireland. It’s believed that the St. Patrick snakes link is all about symbolism. In Judeo-Christian tradition, snakes are the symbol of evil.

It’s said that St. Patrick banishing the snakes from Ireland represents his fight to bring the word of God to Ireland.

12. He spent 40 days on Croagh Patrick

St. Patrick spent 40 days fasting on Croagh Patrick, battling demons and praying for Ireland. Today, thousands hike the mountain each year in his footsteps—though hopefully with better shoes.

Facts about St. Patrick’s Day

The next section of our fun St. Patrick’s Day facts focuses on the day itself – March 17th.

Below, you’ll find some handy St. Patrick’s Day trivia that’ll go perfect in a quiz.

1. Why March 17th?

St. Patrick’s Day is held on March 17th as this is the day that St. Patrick died. On March 17th we celebrate his life along with Irish culture.

2. The first parade wasn’t held in Ireland

I’d never heard this St. Patrick’s Day fact before today! The first St. Patrick’s Day parade wasn’t held in Ireland – it was held in Boston in the United States in 1737. To this day some of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades take place in the USA.

3. The largest parade in the world

This is one of the few St. Patrick’s Day facts that I did know..! The largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world takes place in New York City. The parade attracts a staggering two million+ people every year.

4. Ireland’s first parade

The very first St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland was held in County Waterford in 1903. 

5. A national holiday

St. Patrick’s Day is a bank holiday in Ireland. This means that many people have the day off, as it’s a national holiday. Schools, government offices and many private workplaces close for business on March 17th.

6. Green isn’t the original colour associated with St. Patrick

Interestingly enough, the original colour associated with St. Patrick wasn’t green – it was blue. I can’t image people legging it about the place with blue face paint on!

7. 13,000,000 pints of Guinness are sipped

Yep – a whopping 13,000,000 pints of Guinness (the most popular of the many Irish beers) are drank on March 17th across the world!

Now that you’ve had your fill of Saint Patrick facts, here are some related reads:

• St. Patrick’s Day Jokes 
• The Best Irish Songs and The Best Irish Films Of All Time
• St. Patrick’s Day In Ireland
• St. Patrick’s Day Traditions
• St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails
• Happy St. Patrick’s Day In Irish
• St. Patrick’s Day Prayers
• Facts About Ireland