St. Patrick (c. 385-c. 461) is the patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders and sold into slavery in Ireland whilst a young boy. During his captivity, Patrick converted to Christianity through divine intervention. Despite being eventually returned back home to his native Britain, he would return to Ireland as a Christian missionary to convert the pagan Irish. Much of St. Patrick’s life is apocryphal, and his life is shrouded in legend, such as the legend that Patrick used a shamrock to teach the native Irish the Holy Trinity or that of banishing all snakes from the island. Patrick is revered as the patron saint of Ireland, with 17 March marking St. Patrick’s Day, one of the most famous religious holidays in the world. Many placenames in Ireland, most famously Downpatrick where he is said to be buried alongside Brigid and Colmcille, are named in his honour and both Slemish Mountain in Antrim and Croagh Patrick in Mayo are sites of pilgrimage associated with Patrick.