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Question
#11038. spud
asks:
Did St. Patrick drive the snakes from Ireland?
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l3i7l
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It was not snakes, but demons, which St. Patrick drove out from Erin. So complete was the saint's victory over them that, as an ancient narrative adds, 'for seven years no evil thing was to be found in Ireland.' This was while in prayer and penance on Eagle Mountain, now known as Croagh Patrick. Still he continued his vigil, the whole purpose of his prayer was to obtain special blessings and mercy for the Irish race, whom he evangelized.
You can find more at  http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11554a.htm
Mar 16 01, 4:19 AM
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Gnomon
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There are no snakes in Ireland. The common story is that St Patrick drove them out, and he is often shown in pictures doing this. It is likely that there were no snakes in Ireland even before St Patrick. The country was covered in Ice up to about 10,000 BC. After it started to warm up, Ireland was an island so there was no way for the snakes to get here. Great Britain has only one or two species of snake for the same reason.
Mar 16 01, 7:56 AM
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l3i7l
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a little more searching turned up the following:
'It adds a special glory to Croagh Patrick that its first tribute of homage from the Irish Church to the Chair of Peter was sent from its hoary summit. From that sacred spot on Holy Saturday, Patrick with outstretched hands solemnly blessed the men of Erin that they might cling to the Faith, and the land of Erin that no poisonous reptile might infest it.'
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04509b.htm
Mar 17 01, 4:03 AM
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