Which saint is the patron of Ireland?

Saint Patrick is the primary patron saint of Ireland.

Patrick was a Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop who worked in Ireland during the fifth century. In his surviving Latin writings, he described being captured by Irish raiders at age 16 and held as a slave for six years before escaping. After religious training, he returned to Ireland as a missionary.

Patrick became Ireland’s foremost patron saint through his missionary reputation and the growth of his medieval cult. His traditional feast day is March 17, now celebrated worldwide as Saint Patrick’s Day. Popular stories credit him with explaining the Trinity using a shamrock and driving snakes from Ireland, although the snake story is generally treated as legend rather than ordinary history.

Saint Patrick is sometimes described as Ireland’s only patron saint, but that is an oversimplification. Saint Brigid of Kildare and Saint Columba are also traditionally associated as patron saints. Patrick remains the primary and canonical answer to this standard trivia question.