An engaging and rich exploration of Saint Patrick and his extraordinary influence on the world.

Forced into slavery at the age of fifteen, Patrick overcame all hardship to fulfil his calling: to bring the people of Ireland into the light of God's word. He carried out his mission of conversion and care at a crucial time of change, as Christianity spread across Romanised Europe and harnessed existing social structures and belief systems in Pagan Ireland.

Patrick met high kings and mythical heroes, Celtic gods and goddesses, lowly farmers and loyal servants, and he left lasting marks upon the Irish landscape and way of life. He was humble, courageous and resourceful, and was the first of Ireland's saints to write down his experiences. Thus began the cult of Saint Patrick, galvanised over 1500 years of devotion and scholarship, and culminating recently in the cheerful 'greening' of the world's most famous landmarks.

Drawing from recorded histories, 'tall tales' from all four provinces and beautiful illustrations, this is a light-hearted look at the global phenomenon of Saint Patrick, his life and his legacy, the facts and the fiction of his incredible journey from slave to international saint.

Introduction page 09
Patrick Q&A 13
PART ONE: Ireland in Patrick's Time 21
PART TWO: Patrick's Story 77
PART THREE: Tall Tales from the Four Provinces 101
Northern Light: Stories from Ulster 104
Ends of the Earth: Stories from Connacht 122
Valley of the Kings: Stories from Leinster 141
From Myths to Monks: Stories from Munster 150
PART FOUR: The Greening of the World 163
Select Bibliography 195
Illustrations 200
Index of Place Names 201

Marian Broderick is a writer and editor who lives and works in London. She is second-generation Irish; her parents are from Donegal and Limerick. She spent every summer of her childhood in Ireland and has developed strong links with the place and the people. She is also the author of Wild Irish Women: Extraordinary Lives from History; Wild Irish Love: Great Romances from History; and Saint Patrick; Life, Legend and Legacy.