If you’re like me, you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with friends, a few pints, and all the green clothing you own. I don’t think I ever actually stopped to think that Saint Patrick was a real person--let alone who he actually was. Jeremiah Warren painted a picture (an animated one at that) of Saint Patrick. There were findings here that turned my view of St. Patty’s Day upside down.
The History of Saint Patrick with Jeremiah Warren.
First off, he wasn’t named Patrick! I’m metaphorically dropping the mic. Earth-shattering. Turns out his real name was Maewyn. Saint Maewyn’s Day doesn’t have the same ring to it so thanks to him for changing his name to Patrecius and someone else for making that Patrick. No need to thank the person who changed Patrick to Patty’s, they were just being lazy.
Second, the original color for Saint Patrick was...blue? Just imagine blue leprechauns running around. Yea, I can’t either.
In all seriousness Saint Patrick sounds like an amazing person. He must have been a very convincing pitchman to convert so many Irish to Christianity and I was blown away by his compassion for his former slave master. I wish that story could have ended with less fire and more handshakes.
In the spirit of St. Patty’s Day, my colleague Maggie baked some green cupcakes. Despite winning the Curious holiday party dessert competition--the single greatest baking achievement of my lifetime--I’ll be enjoying these delicious treats courtesy of her. However you celebrate this year, Happy Saint Maewyn’s Day!