1. Patrick was born in Wales about 385 A.D.
2. His given name was actually Maewyn
3. Up to the age of 16 he considered himself a pagan
4. He was sold into slavery and it was during this time that he became closer to God
5. After 6 years of slavery he escaped to Gaul and studied in a monastery for 12 years
6. He adopted the christian name of Patrick while at the monastery
7. Patrick was appointed second Bishop to Ireland
8. He angered many of the Celtic Druids and was imprisoned several times, but kept escaping
9. Patrick died March 17th 461 A.D.
10. His mission in Ireland lasted 30 years
11. It was said that he used a clover to teach about the holy trinity
12. The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737
13. Saint Patrick's followers adopted the shamrock as their symbol
14. Up til the 1970's Irish law mandated that pubs be closed March 17th
15. A leprechaun is a type of male fairy in Irish mythology
16. If you keep your eyes locked on a leprechaun he can not escape
17. And last of all, people who don't wear green on St. Patty's Day are pinched as a reminder to wear green to honor Ireland
I remember when I was a kid and every St. Patrick's Day kids would pinch eachother in class for not wearing green, and without fail every year about an hour into the school day the principal would have to make an announcement on the intercom that we were not to pinch eachother anymore lol, ahh childhood.
I also have fond memories of a leprechaun named Pinky O'tool who used to come and visit my house every St. Patrick's Day, he would always come while I was asleep and mess up the house, putting bananas in the kitchen sink and turning pictures upside down, just little mischievious things. Once and awhile he would leave green hostess snowball treats for me lol. Some day when I have kids I know that Pinky will come back and visit me and my kids, I look forward to seeing my little friend again.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
-Miss Misfit
