Patrick of Ireland was a fifth-century British Christian who became a missionary bishop in Ireland and left two unusually personal Latin texts, the Confessio and the Letter to the soldiers of Coroticus. Muirchu and Tirechan were seventh-century Irish writers whose accounts, preserved through the Armagh tradition, helped turn Patrick from a remembered missionary into Ireland's national apostle.
5th century; later legends 7th century · Ancient · Hagiography
Patrick's own writings are the narrow bridge between the global St. Patrick's Day figure and a real late Roman Christian voice. The Confessio begins with a self-portrait of abasement: Patrick calls himself a sinner, unlearned, rustic, and contemptible to many.
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