Originally posted by Snag1: No snakes in Ireland. That refers to his help in driving paganism out of the land...referring to it as "snakes". He wasn't Irish either. He was English. He was kidnapped from his family in the 5th century at 16 yrs. old. He later went back to England and decided to devote his life to God and helping Ireland. Talk about forgiving in the name of God and showing mercy. March 17th is the day he died.