The British Democrats want to wish you a happy St Patrick’s day.

St. Patrick was born Maewyn Succat circa 385 AD. Scholars are unsure whether he was born in England, Scotland or Wales, although the Catholic Encyclopedia states that the “Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387.”

The young Maewyn was captured by Irish pirates when he was 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave where he became a Shepherd for a Chieftain called Milchu in what is now present day County Antrim. During his time of servitude Maewyn found a belief in God and became a devout Christian.

In his sixth year Maewyn managed to escape onboard a ship which is believed sailed to France.

After many years in France he returned to Britain.

Whilst living in England, he trained as a Cleric and became a Priest and changed his name to ‘Patricius or Patrick’. After this Patrick returned to Ireland where he followed his true calling and became a Christian Missionary.

Since then this son of the British Isles has been celebrated the world over by Catholics but also other denominations. He is of course the foremost patron saint of Ireland and is celebrated by the Irish diaspora all over the world.