Saint Patrick

Little is Known of Patrick`s early life, though it is known that he was born in Roman Britain the fourth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest in the Christian church.At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and  taken captive to Ireland as a slave. It is believed he was held somewhere on the west coast of Ireland, possibly Mayo, but the exact location is unknown. According to his Confession, he was told by God in a dream to flee from captivity to the coast, where he would board a ship and return to Britain. Upon returning, he quickly joined the Church in Auxerre in Gaul and studied to be a priest.

In 432, he again said that he was called back to Ireland, though as a bishop, to Christianise the Irish from their native polytheism. Irish folklore tells that one of his teaching methods included using theshamrock to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity to the Irish people. After nearly thirty years ofevangelism, he died on 17 March 461, and according to tradition, was buried at Downpatrick. Although there were other more successful missions to Ireland from Rome, Patrick endured as the principal champion of Irish Christianity and is held in esteem in the Irish church.

Irish EU presidency

The priorities for Ireland's six month EU presidency will be to secure financial stability in the union, encourage investment in jobs and growth, and better engage with global partners. Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, arrived in Dublin this morning and met Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore. Their discussions centred on the Irish programme and priorities for the State's stint at the helm of the union, which began at the start of this month. The plan  - entitled For Stability, Jobs and Growth - was published after a meeting at Dublin Castle. It says that securing stability will be a priority after the economic and financial crisis revealed "the weaknesses in Europe’s economic and monetary architecture".

The programme also says Ireland will assist in the task of strengthening the EU’s external policy effectiveness and coherence, and how it responds to major foreign policy and security challenges.

"We will use our Presidency in this way to enhance our contribution to the pursuit of peace, democracy and prosperity. Ireland also looks forward to representing the EU in addressing global challenges including hunger, poverty and climate change," the programme states.