Discovering Saint Patrick

by Thomas O'Loughlin

The search for the 'the real Saint Patrick' has puzzled and intrigued scholars for centuries. How much can we really know about the life and times of Patrick? Why and how was the Patrick myth built up in the seventh century, and what was its influence on the development of Irish Catholicism? This new study takes a fresh approach to these questions. It begins by looking at what we expect from history; and the very different expectations of those who made Patrick famous, gave value to his writings so that they were preserved, and produced the interest that is still with us. Only when we can distinguish between the problems and perspectives of the hagiographer, on the one hand, and the historian, on the other, can we begin to approach Patrick.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Ireland, History

254 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent description of the medieval European world-view. O'Loughlin does an incredble job putting medieval European concepts of sainthood into terms that can be understood today.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty neat read into who Saint Patrick was.