St Patrick, the shamrock and the snakes of Ireland
I can retell some of the popular stories told about St. Patrick.
St Patrick, the shamrock and the snakes of Ireland
I can retell some of the popular stories told about St. Patrick.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Having returned to Britain, St. Patrick had a vision which convinced him to return to Ireland.
- When he reached Ireland, he travelled around teaching people about Christianity.
- One popular story about St. Patrick is how he used the shamrock to explain some important things about Christianity.
- The shamrock has since become one of the symbols of Ireland.
- Another popular story about St. Patrick was that he drove all of the snakes out of Ireland, chasing them into the sea.
Common misconception
That snakes used to live in Ireland.
Explain that snakes were unlikely to have ever lived in Ireland due to the geography and climate. It is thought that the snakes in the story of St. Patrick and the snakes of Ireland were a metaphor or symbol.
Keywords
Vision - when people have an imagined experience it is known as a vision
Missionary - a missionary is someone who travels somewhere to convince other people to join their religion
Shamrock - a clover plant with three leaves is called a shamrock
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a group of people from Italy who took over lots of land
someone who follows the Christian religion, believing in God and Jesus
someone who attacks people or places, often to steal
someone who herds and looks after sheep
Exit quiz
6 Questions
when people have an imagined experience
someone who travels to convince others to join their religion
a clover plant with three leaves