St Patrick’s Day is celebrated all around the world. However, for many it is simply a party, rather than a chance to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint. This is strange, because Saint Patrick had a dramatic life.
As a young lad of sixteen years he was captured by a band of raiders near Bologne in Gaul and taken with many others to slavery in Ireland. He was first brought to Mayo, but later sold to an Antrim farmer and he spent six years in captivity as a shepherd on Slemish Mountain.
One cold winter’s night, while Patrick slept, he heard a voice telling him “it is well that you fast, soon you will go to your own country” and a short time later the voice said to him “Look, your ship is ready”.
The spirit guided Patrick to the south of Ireland near Wicklow where he boarded a ship with a cargo of dogs bound for Gaul.
At this time an invasion of Gaul had left much of it desolate. Patrick and the crew of the boat wandered for 28 days until all food had run out. Patrick said to the crew “turn to God and he will provide” and suddenly a herd of pigs appeared and they had food once more. Patrick had performed his first miracle.
For a number of years Patrick wandered through Gaul. Conscious of his lack of formal training in theology and law he spent his time talking to and learning from the wise deacons and Bishops and soon he was made a Bishop in Rome.
He was lonely in Gaul so he went to visit his relations in Britain. While he was there he had another vision in which a man arrived from Ireland with many letters, including one for himself. The letter said “We ask you boy to come and walk once more among us”. Patrick was delighted and went to Ireland immediately.
The people of Ireland at this time were pagans under the influence of the Druids. Patrick had first to rid the country of these “magicians”. This is symbolised by the banishing of the snakes forever from Ireland.
He now set about converting the people to Christianity. His deep faith and belief in the Blessed Trinity made this doctrine a centre piece of his instruction. To help explain the mystery he used the simple 3 leaf shamrock to illustrate 3 persons in one God.
St Patrick died in 461. By this time he had created an established structured church throughout the country. His converts were across the entire social classes from Princes to slaves and many of his priests and deacons were from the youth of Ireland. He is still to this day the most famous figure in Irish history and is one of the best known figures throughout the Christian world.
February 27th, 2008
If you are looking for reasonably priced accommodations in County Sligo that won’t strain your pockets, Harbour House might just be what you are after. This is a really old house that was originally built for the Harbour Master in 1860 back when Sligo was one of the busiest ports in the country. The original character of the house has managed to stay the same. The house provides nice, clean and warm accommodations and charges slightly more than a regular hostel. This hostel is approved by the Irish Tourist Board. It has a capacity of fifty beds and offers a wide range of en-suite rooms including single, double, twin, family and dormitory rooms. Groups of 10 or more have the option to enjoy a nice continental breakfast. Self catering facilities are available in the form of a guest kitchen for preparing tea, coffee and snacks. Linen is included in the price. Children are warmly welcomed to stay and enjoy their time here. The hostel can also accommodate disabled people. A common room is available for the guests to get together and have a fun time chatting and relaxing in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Towels, luggage storage and laundry facilities are available. Free car parking is provided too.
March 5th, 2007
Eden Hill Holiday Hostel in County Sligo is a nice and peaceful place to stay and enjoy your vacation. This hostel is based in an old Victorian house that was built in 1878. There are twenty six beds available in total. Ten beds are for male occupants, ten for females and six beds are meant for couples or individuals in a mixed group. Private, family and dormitory rooms are available here. Bed linen is included in the price. Rejuvenating hot showers are offered free of charge. A fully equipped kitchen serves the self-catering needs of the guests. The large dining room is perfect for dinner conversations. Laundry, bike storage and central heating facilities are offered for the convenience and comfort of the customers.
February 26th, 2007
Truffles is a fine restaurant in County Sligo that you will love to visit again and again. The cooking at this restaurant can only be described as sensational. The restaurant is decorated in a simple manner yet it is aesthetically pleasing to the soul. This creates an appealing atmosphere for dining that many other restaurants aspire to achieve but few actually succeed in accomplishing. The food tastes unbelievably good and is a source of boundless pleasure for the taste buds. The staff is committed and dedicated completely to ensuring that the customers get the best quality food and service possible.
January 9th, 2007
Yeats Tavern Restaurant in County Sligo is a marvellous place to enjoy some great food cooked in a unique way. The taste, flavour and aroma of the food will excite your gastronomic sense to its extremes. This restaurant has become very popular with the locals. Traders passing through the city and tourists are also enamoured with this awesome restaurant. The restaurant was a public house in the beginning but the excellent meals offered here have resulted in attracting food lovers in droves, launching this restaurant into superstardom. The restaurant has won many awards for its combined facilities of a bar and a restaurant. The restaurant is famous for its immaculately cooked traditional Irish cuisine. Sea food dishes here are also quite popular. Vegetarians and vegans need not worry since they are also catered by a nice selection of vegetarian dishes on the restaurant’s splendid menu. Every weekend, you can enjoy some nice Irish music in this restaurant. Summer months are notable for the traditional Irish music sessions held here. Once you have satisfied your hunger with a sumptuous meal at this restaurant, you can head on over to the nearby burial place of the famous poet W.B. Yeats to pay your respects.
December 15th, 2006
