drypoint
150mmx210mm
edition of five
Ireland has always been influenced through sea-borne contact with other peoples but the inception of Irish Christianity is obscure. However, contact with Britain was influential, for the Romano-British province was Christian by the fourth century. No doubt there was also significant contact with Gaul. Thus by the time of Pope Celestine in 431, we know there were already some Christians in Ireland.
Patrick has come down to us by tradition and myth as the most important missionary in the growth of the Christian church in Ireland. Our knowledge of him is gleaned from two Latin texts which he wrote in old age, the Confession and the Letter to Coroticus. These documents establish that Patrick was Romano-British and lived in the fifth century, a time when the Roman legions had withdrawn from Britain and the break-up of the empire had begun.
His Confession gives us some information, how he came to Ireland, first as a captured slave, then escaped but felt called by God to return as a missionary, a 'letter of Christ', as he put it metaphorically. Most of the other information we have was written after his death and none earlier than the seventh century. As Ireland's Patron Saint his image is universal and seen everywhere in painting, sculpture, stained glass and print. My print imagines the missionary journey back.
Further reading:
Patrick The Archaeology of a Saint – Cormac Burke
Saint Patrick and the Downpatrick Area – Maureen Donnelly
