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Every March, the same myths about Saint Patrick resurface – he drove the snakes out of Ireland, wiped out the Druids, and converted the entire island to Christianity. But what if none of that is true?
At the Irish Pagan School, we’re passionate about uncovering historical truth, and in this video and blog, Lora O’Brien breaks down the biggest misconceptions about Saint Patrick, separating Christian propaganda from real history.
Breaking Down the Myths about Saint Patrick
- Did Saint Patrick drive the snakes out of Ireland?
This is one of the most well-known stories about Patrick. But Ireland has never had snakes – our climate and geography have never supported them. The story of Patrick ‘banishing’ them was simply a way to explain why there were no snakes in Ireland, not a miraculous event. - Were the snakes a metaphor for Druids?
Many modern Pagans believe that ‘snakes’ in the legend symbolise the Druids. However, this idea comes from a single 1911 book, The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries, where one random man speculated that a lake linked to Patrick’s miracle was also where Druids were driven out. No earlier sources make this connection, and the original stories clearly refer to actual snakes. - Did Saint Patrick wipe out the Druids?
While medieval Christian texts portray Patrick as a champion of Christianity battling the Druids, history tells a different story. The Druids survived well beyond Patrick’s time, with references to them in Irish law tracts from the 7th and 8th centuries. Even an 8th-century hymn asks for protection against “the magic of women, blacksmiths, and Druids” – proving they were still a recognised force long after Patrick’s time. - Did Saint Patrick convert all of Ireland?
The idea that Patrick singlehandedly converted Ireland is Christian PR at its finest. Patrick himself, in his Confessio, admits that he faced pushback and wasn’t sure if he had any real impact. He wasn’t even the first Christian missionary in Ireland – Palladius came before him and likely had more influence. Irish conversion took centuries and was a slow cultural shift, not the result of one man’s efforts.
Why This Matters for Modern Pagans
Many Pagans today see Saint Patrick as a villain, the destroyer of Irish Paganism. But by focusing so much on him, we actually give power to a false Christian narrative.
The truth is that Irish Paganism never fully disappeared – it adapted and evolved, continuing through folklore, folk magic, and living traditions.
Instead of feeding energy into myths about Patrick, we should celebrate the resilience of Irish Paganism.
Go Deeper: The Real History of Saint Patrick
If this has sparked your curiosity, join Lora O’Brien and Morgan Daimler for their class:
📖 St. Patrick: What’s the Real Story? at the Irish Pagan School.
You’ll get:
✅ A deep dive into the real historical sources
✅ A breakdown of Christian propaganda vs. actual history
✅ A chance to ask questions and engage with two experienced historians and practitioners
🎟️ On Demand Access is Here → Enroll in the Course
Let’s reclaim the truth and honour the enduring strength of Irish Paganism.
