The Legend of Saint Patrick | Druid of the Reek

The story of Ireland's patron saint and the spread of Celtic Christianity.
In many ways Saint Patrick represents the bridge between pagan Ireland, with it's myths of gods and heroes and the later Christian literary tradition.
In this video I will sketch a rough hagiography of Saint Patrick and his conversion of the early medieval Irish chiefdoms.
Then I will tell the story of Ośin in the House of the Bells, where according to tradition, the stories of Finn McCool and the Fenian Cycle were passed on to early Celtic Christian scribes.
Then we will visit the sacred mountain called Croagh Patrick (otherwise known as The Reek) a pilgrimage site since Neolithic times, and where according to legend, Saint Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland.
Finally I would like to offer up a few thoughts on what this might mean for us today.
Happy St Paddy's day you lovely wee leprechauns!
Sláinte

[@Dreaming_of_Water_Lilies]

Thank you so much for sharing! My mother's father's lineage came to canada from northern Ireland about 300 years ago. I was born in Michigan and I work at an Irish pub . Yesterday, as I cooked lunch, I realized I knew nothing about Saint Patrick. I am a storyteller myself and listening to you today was an absolute gift and blessing. God is good. Thanks again, love to you all!

[@OneEpicEric]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nae3o6eNpJiqgNE

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thanks, much love back atchya! 👍🍻☘️

[@strawpiglet]

Great message. I love a saint whose power is love rather than physical force.

[@TheStoryCrow]

That may not be the traditional Catholic interpretation, but it’s the one I’m going with 😉

[@drowsyZot]

I love the concept of not slaying or banishing our demons, but building them a room and welcoming them in as part of our shadow selves. Wonderful video as always, I got a lot out of it. Thank you!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Hey! No worries my friend. Yeah it’s a great image, not my own, it’s from an old Norse tale called the lindworm. I’ll tell it here one day 😁

[@pbohearn]

Paying tribute today to my mother, Margaret Elizabeth, and my father, Leo Ambrose, born on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, both descendants of Irish immigrants, always in my heart. I was named for Saint Patrick and I appreciated your story.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Ahhh. Much love to you Patrick. Lost my mum a couple years back, not far from this day either. Sending good thoughts and blessings to ya over there ☘️🙏

[@markwarrensprawson]

You seem gloriously mad. I hope you realise how profoundly admirable I regard people who exude the type of madness you seem to. Loved the story, mate. I'll definitely be back for more.

[@TheStoryCrow]

I’ll take it 🙏😂

[@atis9061]

Dude you prove your Irish heritage with your awesome storytelling ability!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Cheers ! 🙏☘️🍻

[@pbohearn]

Splashing cold water on your face is it time tested weight to deal with exhaustion, anxiety, and anger. To incorporate it with a holy thought, seems to powerful way to go

[@m.scottmcgahan9900]

I wasn't expecting to be touched by this video. Having grown up as an American, St. Patrick's day has meant various things to me as time passes. As a child in the 70's and early 80's, St. Patrick's day was a day to get viciously pinched for forgetting to wear green. I knew I was Irish, mostly by ancestry, but my family didn't follow any particularly Irish traditions. As a teenager and young adult, it was partytime for the masses, but I was a weirdo who read a lot of books and studied Occultism and Mythology, so I began to see St. Patrick as an enemy. Christianity had been forced aggressively on me as a teen, and by the time I started drinking and smoking weed and such, I had rebelled pretty robustly. But a lot of Occultism is couched in Christian terms, as well as Egyptology, one of my favorite subjects. And so I eventually had to come to terms with Christianity. But I still objected to St. Patrick's day as I viewed him as the one who drove the Druids out of Ireland, and other things I've read about him being against women and blacksmiths, gave me a view of him much in a similar light to Columbus: A Colonizer who destroyed the native culture. And in addition to St. Patrick's day (along with New Years Eve) being "Amateur Night" for drinkers, I felt that it was a bit of a racial slur to represent the Irish as a bunch of drunks. A popular donut chain, rife with cultural appropriation, calling themselves Voodoo Doughnut, even sell a St. Patrick's day donut called a "Whiskey-Dick" in the shape of a limp penis. So, instead of donning the color green on St. Patrick's day, I would wear a black arm band, in solidarity with my long gone Druid and Pagan ancestors. But the title of your video gave me pause, linking St. Patrick with Druidism? So I decided to watch it with an open mind. I've heard that the story of St. Patrick saying "God, save us from women and smiths" was apocryphal, so I looked to expand my knowledge and see it from a different viewpoint. I wasn't previously a subscriber to your channel, but I felt drawn to your easygoing personality and storytelling. You seem like someone who I would hang out with and be friends with. You have a new subscriber and, if you would have me, a friend.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thank you for these words my friend, and for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I too used to be a lot more hostile to Christianity, I’m more nuanced now and think that’s a good thing. Everything’s connected. I raise a glass to you, across the water buddy. Sláinte 🍻☘️✊

[@m.scottmcgahan9900]

@@TheStoryCrowWell met! Sláinte! 🍻

[@fractaled3129]

Many of the early Irish Saints came from Druidic families. In fact, most of the early priesthood in general did, from what I've researched over the years. Celtic society was similar to Indian castes, there were 'priestly' families, noble families, warrior families. The early Church maintained many of these familial roles as it made sense for them not to create conflict by altering things too much. But the Celtic Church had its own ideas and teachings, and was closer in some ways to Eastern Spirituality than Roman Catholic. You'll see it if you read the poems or writings of any Irish Saint. This was a general cause of concern for the Roman Catholic Church and it wasn't until the Synod of Rath Breasail in 1111 that the old ways of the druids were completely eradicated from the Church practices. The Synod was held in Uisneach, a very important Druidic site in the centre of Ireland (where I was born actually) and which would have held powerful significance in terms of symbolism - and even as a ritual of sort for the Roman Catholic Church.

[@m.scottmcgahan9900]

@@fractaled3129Wow! very interesting! Thank you for sharing!

[@IainMcGirr]

Well La Fheile Padraig ..to you ..even though both a nod ... Im gone full circle ... :) from C to P .. :) I lust love your storing telling ... as my mother has said breeding breaks through the eye of an needle and it only takes a drop of blood to colour the ocean red... you are a tribute to all story tellers...

[@TheStoryCrow]

That there is a great phrase Iain, thanks for sharing that. Always a pleasure to read your comments my friend 🙏🍻

[@TheStoryCrow]

I keep circling and circling 😉

[@janetownsley865]

Thank you for bringing the land and the lore through the magic of youtube. As an American this depth of culture and connection got lost for me in the many tragedies of my father's ancestors who were Travellers, Gaels, Ulster Scots, miners and eventually Americans.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Well, my family only came across the little water, yours went across the big water, the sense of disconnect must be larger, but then we’re all disconnected from the land in some way these days… time to get back to the garden, in the words of Joni Mitchell. Thanks for watching 🙏☘️✨

[@TheStoryCrow]

Which sounds like I’m planting seeds, which I literally am

[@MischiefManaged255]

Thanks for posting this. My Family has O’Neill, Clarke, Durkee, Alexander, Davis, and Murphy😁. We love to hear stories about the Old Country. My daughter and i really enjoyed this:)). Thanks for posting!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Glad you enjoyed it ☘️🙏

[@valeriewatson5260]

To eat a clean head of watercress in a place without sorrow ❤ Perfect Thanks for the detail and the fantastic views Happy St Paddy’s day ☘️

[@TheStoryCrow]

Great line isn’t it ☺️🙏☘️✨

[@jonathanjordahl1681]

Thank you, my friend. I love your reaching back to find life in the root of the culture that was (almost) lost.

[@TheStoryCrow]

My pleasure, glad to have others on the journey back 🙏☘️

[@sandrasims7569]

Amazing really enjoyed this video ❤you’re☘️☘️ such a great story teller.😀😀👏👏I hope you to have a wonderful saint Patrick’s day with your family 🙏🙏🙏

[@TheStoryCrow]

Cheers. Same to you ☘️☺️🍻

[@jesusmind1611]

best story I have heard about St. Patrick ever and I got to listen at Sunset on the 17th of March, really good. Here, we are in the most pegean of ancient soils of the USA in the south western high desert, here Christ is remembered among the Native Americans in Peyote ceremonies, He is rememebered at the Hindu Temple where we feed people because the Guru said to be like Jesus and feed the hungry, He may even go to church who knows, here in the ancient lands we worship by retreating into the Mountains, to sleep under the stars in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains where sheep were once a way of life, where Spaniards ran as far as they could from the Spanish Inqusition, long before the British landed, here in plastic, violent America there is a backwater in the hills where we remember things that are never written in books. And my God is just like you, so sayeth the Boodha GREAT to hear from you Ireland, I just subscribed!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Glad to hear it friend ✨🙏☘️

[@LOKa-bg6qn]

What a greatly told story! Greetings from Poland!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🇵🇱 🇮🇪

[@higgaroc]

This was really nice. I like the message of figuring out how to live in peace with your demons, how to accept the dark side of things within and without. Happy St. Paddy’s to you and all!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thanks for these words, and same to you 🙏☘️

[@TheStoryCrow]

Happy Saint Paddy's Day my wee babbers!

[@bluebird3281]

My Grandparents were from Ireland and my grandmother died about two weeks before her 94th birthday. She had survived my grandfather by decades and my uncle Francis would look after her and when he passed my father took up the mantle. One day when I was about 17 and my grandmother 86, I had stopped by to visit them both and had met my father on the front porch as he made his way to the local store. We talked for a few minutes, and he told me to go inside get comfortable, as he would be back soon. I stepped inside to visit my grandmother and I ended up startling her. "What the devil are you doing steeping out of the shadows like a ghost". She was having a coughing fit as I entered the threshold to the kitchen. There in her hands was a lit old clay pipe full of tobacco. Clearly, she was taken advantage of my father's absence for a few puffs. I said, "Grandma you can't be smoking at your age, it can cause serious health problems for you." She replied, "I don't have to worry about that because I know the ancient Hibernian secret of long life". That phrase tickled me, as I started to wonder what was in the pipe besides tobacco. She asked me if I would like to know it as well and of course I wanted to hear this. I said to her with a big smile. "Alright grandma what is it?" She told me with the pipe clenched in her teeth "it's simple trick lad, ...mind your own @#$%ing business!" Happy St. Patrick's Day

[@firecracker187]

Most of my family, well part of it I should say, came from Co. Donegal. Other parts came.. that I know of ..Co Fermanagh

[@firecracker187]

​@@bluebird3281I bet you she would've reacted the same way when it came to whiskey.. Slaintė Va

[@bluefairy8680]

What do you traditionally do for Saint Patrick's Day?

[@be-twixt]

And to you and yours!

[@hArtyTruffle]

Magical and very timely for me to catch this one. Thankyou ✨🙏✨

[@eileenmulcahy6411]

love your story telling..... thank you very much

[@KM-wv2og]

I love the way you giggle between certain passages of the story. It makes me giggle too and enjoy the weird and blood thirsty stories even more😅

[@TheStoryCrow]

😂☺️🙏

[@beyond.the.paradigm359]

That was awesome! Thank you, my friend. And happy St.Patrick's Day.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Same to you! ✨🍻 ☘️

[@katherinevidmar7307]

Thank you for this blessed information. And the solid advice for charming snakes 🐍

[@TheStoryCrow]

Many ways to charm snakes 🐍☘️🙏✨ thanks for watching ☺️

[@alexandrapoole997]

What a delight, thank you!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Glad you enjoyed it! ☘️🙏

[@SebastianJArt]

So beautifully said ❤🎉 your daydream about avenging your dog is the most relatable this I’ve ever heard. 😂

[@TheStoryCrow]

I’m glad you say that I was worried about publicly admitting such violent thoughts 😂 Love my dog. He’s the best.

[@hell-hollowfarmer41]

Excellent storytelling! The Irish in my blood sent the wild goosebumps flying!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Ha ha! That makes two of us. Have a good one 🍻✨☘️😉

[@cecilyerker]

Irish DNA 🧬 activated! I got goosebumps too! I was transported to the mountains and the holy wells

[@jeanetteharris2211]

Indeed we are duel entities,as all is in nature. Nature is balance. Without darkness there is no light. As the great psychologist said "feelings are not good or bad, they just are". We are entities of the light and the darkness. And darkness has its place in our existence. Without it, we are incomplete. When you depress the darkness,it festers into a dragon. It is definitely better to acknowledge and consider ,and choose accordingly. Lovely poem,btw....thanks for the St.Patricks story! It was great!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Well stated 🙏

[@londynharris-elzein]

Wow, what a tale!! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely video ☘️☘️🤍🤍

[@TheStoryCrow]

Glad you enjoyed it ☘️🙏

[@HootOwl513]

The Seanachie's art is not dead, Im glad to find.

[@TheStoryCrow]

🙏 😉 ☘️

[@mariGentle]

A complete blessing to hear your story , especially the more personal end tale. No more banishing of the serpent no more othering, but an embrace of all folk as we carry all folk within. I am celebrating Paddys day by gaining Irish citizenship!!! And discovering, ironically that I’m allergic to potatoes 😅

[@TheStoryCrow]

This is hilarious 🥔 😂 Thanks for words 🙏☘️

[@georgeohwell7988]

Greetings from Northern Ireland, interesting story well told..

[@TheStoryCrow]

Ah, land of my ancestors. Thanks for listening my friend 🙏

[@georgeohwell7988]

@@TheStoryCrow I'm from the North coast and a little town called Coleraine ,a great wee town!

[@TheStoryCrow]

I’ve driven through it on my way west into the ROI!

[@realmofroses]

I enjoyed this very much! Thank you!

[@Kim-J312]

You are a great storyteller . Ireland is a beautiful country 😊💚☘️

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thank you ☘️ It’s beautiful. And moist.

[@kimkovell4514]

You gave this story such animation in my own imagination! My grandmother (Delores Catherine McLaughlin) was the best storyteller I’ve had the pleasure of watching, although she absolutely loved the scary stories that made me jump out of my chair and she’d laugh and then I’d laugh as well! Thank you for breathing life into her memory for me today. Much love and luck

[@TheStoryCrow]

Haha! She sounds hilarious 😂☘️

[@kimkovell4514]

0:03

[@michelewhite36]

Congratulations on reaching 10K subscribers, Story Crow! I’ve been following your totals all month, excited for the day you’d reach it. So well deserved. I’m happy many more are enjoying your work. Thank you for all your hard work! Your channel is one of my absolute favourites and I recommend it to everyone!😊🌈

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thank you! I know, that one clicked over in the night. Thanks for your support, don’t think I haven’t noticed 😉☺️🙏

[@reynardthefox]

a wonderful story told so well Thanks Slainte

[@TheStoryCrow]

☘️🙏

[@Eriugena8]

oh no you didn't. ride that Algo-Dragon 🐉

[@TheStoryCrow]

☝️🐍🧙‍♂️

[@be-twixt]

Ol Patrick has some fun stories about him. Hope you have a great Paddy’s weekend! 🍻

[@TheStoryCrow]

You too! ☘️🍻

[@tribalinknews]

Patrick... God's Magic man... thanks for nice documentary

[@TheStoryCrow]

Not a bad way to put it. Thanks for watching 🙏☘️

[@K_Sea_Ya_music]

You are an amazing story teller. your experience and teachings sounds very accurate with spiritual evolution we are unfolding in this planet.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thank you 🙏✨🐍🌱

[@joandrummond524]

Happy St Patrick day thank you again for your story telling love listening to you x

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thanks for listening ☘️🙏 🍻

[@silkeeberle8484]

Thank you! Happy St. Patrick's Day! Got myself a Killian 's Red for the occasion 🍀🍻 🐑🍀

[@TheStoryCrow]

Same to you ☘️🙏🍻🐑

[@ALavin-en1kr]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙏

[@JennieJuniper]

Fascinating tales, so well told! Thank you!! 🍀🍀🍀

[@TheStoryCrow]

My pleasure Jennie. Thanks for listening ☘️😉

[@ar-visions]

These are the kind of stories you tell with just 1 Guinness in you. Imagine two.

[@TheStoryCrow]

How do you know it wasn’t my third? 😂 (It wasn’t)

[@philmcdonald6088]

be here now do no harm help others be still close eyes listen to your breathing. erin go bragh☘️

[@TheStoryCrow]

Aye to that 🙏

[@davidfrancis9050]

Sometimes have the same problem. Sound advice. Thank you.

[@TheStoryCrow]

🙏✨

[@logantauson789]

You are awesome at story telling!! Happy St. Patrick’s day!!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thanks! You too! ☘️🙏🍻👍

[@MrKieras666]

I was on that mountain hundreds of times over 14 years living in Westport. Something unsettling,haunting yet beautiful about it. Special place

[@TheStoryCrow]

Totally agree. It’s laden with magic

[@annaf.644]

Absolutely Brillant👑😇💚🍀🌊🐍🐍🌊🌹❤️‍🩹🌹🪨🪨Kudos!!🙏🏻

[@TheStoryCrow]

Cheers 🙏🍻☘️🐍✨

[@alexsmith2269]

Truly delightful and accurate thoughts on the world.

[@TheStoryCrow]

🙏✨☘️🐉

[@firecracker187]

Yay i was the 50th like. 😊 Great video once again, my friend. Slaintė I've been to ireland a few times and I love it so so much. It's illegal to bring snakes to ireland It weren't most people in Ireland at that time Vikings? @thestorycrow .. I was also caught in an Irish traffic jam once.... The whole entire street was filled with sheep

[@firecracker187]

#thestorycrow

[@TheStoryCrow]

I think the classic ‘Viking age’ came a bit later, but there would have been Scandinavian sea raiders for sure. I think Roman Britain probably held richer pickings though! Yep, the sheep jam experience happened to us quite a lot 😂 🐑

[@exponentialpotentialNow]

Huge Blessings 🍀🍀🍀

[@TheStoryCrow]

Right back atchya 🙏☘️✨

[@BaritoneUkeBeast4Life]

Thank you for this wonderful rendition of some of the stories associated with St. Patrick. I for one love the Irish people as I have lots of Irish friends and ex girlfriends. There is a special place in my heart for the Irish, as I love Celtic music and dancing, (I play the Tin Whistle), love to hear Gaelic being spoken, and their ancient history, culture and mythology. It calls to me and resonates with me. I don't share any of that love or respect for St. Patrick and I think of him more akin to a demon than a saint. It is my belief that his act of bringing Christianity to Ireland is what has caused so much suffering to the Irish people. I believe that the old gods were furious at the Irish people for abandoning them and turning their back on their Pagan roots, culture and history. I believe the old gods cursed the people of Ireland for their betrayal. For example having them fight amongst themselves between 2 warring factions of Christianity, for generations while thousands of innocent men, women, and children died. It's as if the old gods said ok you want this new religion, this new faith BS, you got it, and may it tear you all apart in the process. In Ireland, Christianity became a symbol for death. That along with the many horrific famines in Ireland's history , and the mistreatment of it's citizens by the English and by immigrants who went to America, to me, show that the Gods were angered by the Irish becoming Christian and wanted them to pay for it. St. Patricks day has always been a day where I celebrate the Irish people and their mythology, their old Pagan ways, the ways of the Druids.

[@TywysogCraig]

The druids of britain were among some of the earliest conversions and not because of force but rather they had also prophecised christ. People forget that the galatians were celts. Take a look at a map of the celtic empire 300bc. I know they weren'y an emipre as such but they were organised and very advanced. They had dealings with the essenes, which is potentially where the magi (3 wise men) came from. The gospel came straight to britain, followed by a third invasion of the romans. There was a very well established church in britain before augustines men arrived. Much to share. I have been born again since coming home to cymru 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@BaritoneUkeBeast4Life]

@@TywysogCraig I don't know anything about the Celts having any prophecies regarding Jesus at all, who by the way was actually not a Christ which is the term the Greeks use to describe a messiah. However the 3 wise men that came from the East were known to be of Indian or Tibetan origin. They were coming to locate the next Dali Lama in the succession and found Jesus to be him. Which is how it is still done today. That is why in the missing years of Jesus he went to the far east to study Buddhism where he became enlightened and brought the teachings back home with him. That is why his teachings are identical to other non-dualist teachings.

[@TheStoryCrow]

There are manifold interpretations of all these old yarns, all valid. Thanks for sharing your thoughts my friend. I raise a glass to the old ways and the old gods 🍻🙏☘️✨🐺🦌🌙🧙‍♂️

[@TywysogCraig]

@@TheStoryCrow Christ is who he says he is and the Druids prophecised his birth.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Depends what Gospel 😉

[@carolescutt2257]

A glorious 😂sight for my eyes and ears ❤❤

[@TheStoryCrow]

🙏☘️☺️✨🍻

[@repentanttrans]

You're a great story teller!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thank you so much! 🙏🍻☘️

[@michaelroche5744]

Thank you. Really great.

[@TheStoryCrow]

You are welcome!

[@danielpuckett7792]

Thanks!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Hey, thank you, cheers ☺️☘️🍻

[@patriciagriffith7402]

Great story teller

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thanks for listening ☘️🙏

[@SacredDreamer]

Wow that was good Thank You Sir.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Glad you liked it ☘️🙏

[@katrinabillings7011]

Thank you. This warmed the cockles of my heart. . interesting you finding so many links to the Buddha as I heard yesterday that March 17rth was the day of the Buddha's Great Renunciation. May need to take this with a pinch of salt as they had a completely different calendar back then!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Didn’t know that, thanks! but yes, salt required 😂

[@joehaughey688]

Çheers man. Loved your vid

[@tiredofchurchs7407]

I wish I could tell stories like you do.

[@TheStoryCrow]

🙏✨

[@Aduromancer]

Beautiful testimony of your own shadow work and the principle of integration. I find many people, especially pegan identifying, are woefully misinformed about St Patrick, often assuming he brought a genocidal crusade to Ireland (Julius Ceasar style). The "Romanization" of the old pegan ways might be a more apt description, and I truly pray that this profundity, a macrocosmic parallel to the spiritual work of the individual, be revealed to more people, especially throughout America.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Totally agree with this, and thanks for respecting the nuance. It’s funny. I think this is my first video where I’ve upset Christians AND pagans alike 😂🙏✨🐍

[@Aduromancer]

@@TheStoryCrow It's a good sign brother ⚡️

[@Henrikbuitenhuis]

Thanks so much for the video

[@TheStoryCrow]

No problem pal ☘️🙏

[@PJB-To-be]

You have the gift of story telling! I was named after Saint Patrick. Born on this 17th of March 1960. Irish yes and other bloods too. I live in the U.S.A. I don't celebrate holy days, pagen or whatever. The only day I take note of is Nissan 14th of the Jewish calendar. Jesus asked us to commemorate the covenant for the Kingdom of God and remember his sacrificial death. Next Sunday the 24th I will do that. I do however love a good story, one wiskey on the rocks with a splash of water, and a life of peace. But you're right; our world is not at peace with it's demons or it's ruler the devil. They are angry. Revelation 12:12 "On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.” One day we will have true peace and security. But then no wicked spirits will be ever again. Not bannished, not held at bay, no but put in Gehenna. Where the fire never go's out! ❤

[@TheStoryCrow]

Hope you had a nice birthday ☘️☺️

[@jeanetteharris2211]

Happy St Patrick's weekend!

[@TheStoryCrow]

☘️ ☘️ ☘️

[@oracleofaltoona]

amazing video. thank you. ☘

[@TheStoryCrow]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙏☺️

[@thebordoshow]

very interesting video. Its hard to tell where the line is between christian and old pagan tales, often they are so mix its hard to tell who influences who. especially tales of early christian staints who still are a part of the world before the larger institutions came along and the shift of faith was in its early stages. Popularity of Saint Patrick always intrigued me, especially in the American consciousness, that due to its roots in Protestantism doesn't revere Saints as much. he's up there with Saint Nicolaus and Saint George in world Popularity. I'm from one of the first Christian nations, Georgia and Armenia were first to adopt Christianity, first spread by Apostils and then by all female Proselytizers, Iberian kingdom being converted by Saint Nino, 14 year old Cappadocian and presumably the Cousin of Saint George, both being major Saints here. But Oddly, We also have a pagan tradition still active, from the days of old to now. over time local Christianity fusing with local practices, to the point where many saints are old gods and many Gods are Paganised saints. saint George in particular, replaced almost every male heroic figure, especially the dragon slaying type, but in some Regions Became a god of war and heriosm like Jgriagi in Svan folklore. many folklore and fairytales now exist with heavy Christian rewriting, where the wondering god is now Jesus and the old heroes are called monks or heretics. Oddly enough, one of those legends Had an Evil Giant who had worms in his head that later grew into Dragons, never got that connection until now, thanks for that!

[@TheStoryCrow]

That’s really interesting thanks for that 🙏☺️ a giant with snakes in his head. It rings a bell actually …

[@307cavalier5]

That whole late Roman era is fun to read about. One of the things I've found interesting is that, this period of European Christianity is still Christian, they went, they lived somewhere and interacted with the locals, Being of the world but not in it, living by grace instead of by law.

[@thebordoshow]

@@307cavalier5 and Bizantium in a lot of ways continued that.

[@daisypeters3216]

Thanks

[@kathleenbarry4224]

Thank you

[@TheStoryCrow]

You're welcome 🙏

[@tommieogrady]

Instead of going home, he went and became a bishop first, wow his parents must have been really surprised.

[@TheStoryCrow]

I know! ‘Mother father, I’m home!” (Knocks comically massive bishops hat off on low door frame)

[@Jacky9071]

The farmers put up those signs to protect their flocks against irresponsible dog owners!

[@TheStoryCrow]

😂

[@TheStoryCrow]

I witnessed many a irresponsible dog owner on that island

[@jamesstuart-riley5453]

Pater rix - (Father King) an appellation bestowed upon a king of the Tuatha De Danaan, and may apply to more than one Celtic Deity.

[@TheStoryCrow]

☝️ this

[@xspudx1032]

For years on Reek Sunday as the Sun would be rising, I would climb that Hill with thousands of like minded souls. None more like minded than that of my Father. My Father passed suddenly of Cancer, I climb that Hill no more…🍺👍🏻

[@TheStoryCrow]

Sorry to hear that, I drink to him 🍺

[@Nana-vi4rd]

The father of my three daughters was from Newtonards. He told me how St. Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland. He made a deal with the King of the snakes, saying he and his snakes could return tomorrow. Well, the King and all the snakes left Ireland traveling the world asking different people if it was tomorrow, only to be answered no it's today. That is why there are no snakes in Ireland....

[@TheStoryCrow]

I hadn’t heard that one, sounds like folklore about the nagas of India, thanks for sharing ☺️🙏🐉

[@JesseP.Watson]

27:15 Oh I did laugh long and loud there, how well I know that devilish speculation that calls suddenly so shamelessly for a return to the old ways, far from prying eyes. Muhahaha! Beautiful video this... everything I find deeply interesting, from the propaganda of the dragon slayers (oh how the victors gloss o'er their foul deeds)... to the closing thoughts which could have been my own, I am in fact working on a five part series called "The Great Unknown: A Challenge to Authority" (working title) on that very topic, your work has crossed my mind as I've worked my wyrding way about editing that filum. Mmm. I would like to share it with you... it is centred on a thought which struck me a couple of years ago, that the artist represents the unknown and so acts perhaps to keep that authoritative lilt toward polarisation in check by insisting the individual think for themselves and not be drawn therein to believe everything entirely settled one way or another. Mmm. In there your story telling has been an example of that which has come to mind, hence me being curious if the like has occurred to you. Aye. Thank you for an inspiring and thought provoking half hour or so, as always, good crow. By the way, were you at Glendaloch (?) there? I stayed in devils glen a while, I thought it better befitted a serpent such as I. 😉

[@TheStoryCrow]

This sounds like a very interesting work and title my friend and fully agree with your sentiments there 😉 The propaganda of the dragon slayers also feels like it should be a title of something 😂 No we didn’t make it to Wicklow. Or Dublin. Next time!

[@pariahthistledowne3934]

Slainte! Great stuff!

[@TheStoryCrow]

☘️🙏🍻✨

[@audreyroche9490]

Paddys day today guys happy paddy's day

[@TheStoryCrow]

☘️🍻

[@nma6567]

Thank you! Your voice is interesting. And you're a hottie'too! Love the blue eyes.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Thank you 😉🙏 My fiancé thinks so too 😂😅

[@jeanetteharris2211]

But isn't it wonderful that St.Patrick didn't condemn the son of Finn for speaking of the old pagan ways....and that he thought enough of his stories to record them?

[@TheStoryCrow]

It’s a wonderful device isn’t it, probably by some unknown medieval Christian scribe … good lad ☘️

[@jlau979]

The commemoration of St Patrick's Day, based upon expelling snakes out of Ireland, was actually, Nagas who were called Snakes or N*****s, which he chased from the land. Blacks were called Snakes (Nagas) because of their master control over the people of Ireland. In reality crawling snakes have never existed in Ireland. That is the true historical fact of St Patrick.

[@crimthann-fathach]

The word 'Fact' is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. Drink a big bottle of cop on for yourself.

[@greenviolist34]

The hair you have at the opening makes me think that can of Guinness was empty

[@TheStoryCrow]

It’s my second 😉

[@LupinGaius-ls1or]

I’ve wondered how much of the traditions about Irish gods or demigods prophesied or kinda prefigured are due to Christians having recorded the tales and how much is some inherent compatibility. There is a Tradition of the goddess Bridget serving as the midwife for St. Mary at the incarceration.

[@TheStoryCrow]

There is indeed. Some say Bridget walked through a fairy mound and ended up in an inn in Bethlehem. Wonderful syncretisation by some early Irish monk who just couldn’t let go of the old tales!

[@xxWillowWandxx]

Wonderful story telling thankyou 😊 yeah he didnt banish the pagans, we are still here 😂

[@user-xw3ru7xr2y]

You are insane, sir. But you tell a good tale - and tell it so well. All genius is comprised of insanity, to some degree. Thank you for reaffirming my beliefs. Be well, lad!

[@TheStoryCrow]

Bit of insanity is good for one’s health 🙏😂☘️

[@eric2500]

Och, what's a few cattle raids between cousins?!

[@TheStoryCrow]

😂😉🐄

[@dianetheone4059]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@TheStoryCrow]

☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

[@eric2500]

Irish Cornish alliance - see also the legend of Tristan and Iseult

[@TheStoryCrow]

Told it on this channel. Or most of it ☺️

[@HootOwl513]

If we're very good would you tell us of the Last High King, Brian Boru? My first name is Brian. My nephew is named after St Patrick, and with Spanish Catholic heritage from his Mother's side has a ,,Santos'' -- a day to celebrate like a Second Birthday when it's your patron saint's feastday. I shouldn't say I'm jealous, but I feal slighted not having my own Santos, being named after Ard Righ Brian, who was no Saint. . Sure he gave the Bishop of Clontarf a stout monestery for his monks, and a fine Cathedral for his Eminance. And didn't he leave a bucket of gold Ducats so his Honor could say masses for the repose of the soul of the Boru. But would the bugger in a pointy hat ever canonize the High King? Never in life! Brian Boru was too Worldly, said he. He was a warrior and King -- not a holyman. He drove the Danes from Erin. But no Saint Brian.

[@michaelmallal9101]

Very famous saint.

[@TheStoryCrow]

Indeedy 😉☘️

[@eric2500]

Pagan saint? How about Saint Bridget? Named after a Goddess she is often blended with?

[@TheStoryCrow]

Yes good one, might save that one for Christmas 🙏

[@brendancoburn427]

Besides, as the vilest Writer has his Readers, so the greatest Liar has his Believers; and it often happens, that if a Lie be believ’d only for an Hour, it has done its Work, and there is no farther occasion for it. Falsehood flies, and the Truth comes limping after it; so that when Men come to be undeceiv’d, it is too late; the Jest is over, and the Tale has had its Effect…

[@TheStoryCrow]

🙏

[@judithsmorti4306]

🪬✨🔔

[@sheamccurdy]

Having been researching this topic each year since renewing my faith in the Gods of my ancestors, I am disappointed in your telling of the legend without offering the “pagan” point of view.

[@TheStoryCrow]

That was my intention Shea, as per the video thumbnail, but I don’t script these videos and they dont always go as planned 😅 I’ve left an open door, by suggesting that Celtic Christianity in its early days may have incorporated many of the ‘snakes’ of the pagan imagination into itself - but I’ll walk through that door in a future video I think. Thanks for watching 🙏☘️

[@laslobas1234]

This is why I’m not interested in St Patrick’s day. “St. Patrick and his followers committed crimes against the pagans, such as forced conversions, destruction of sacred sites, and execution of those who refused to abandon their beliefs. This brutal campaign against the pagans led to the loss of a beautiful and thriving culture. Ireland’s pagan traditions were steeped in rich mythology, art, and spirituality, and the forced conversions by St. Patrick and his followers stripped away these elements of Irish heritage. The devastation caused by this religious crusade is a harrowing chapter in Ireland’s history that often goes unacknowledged in contemporary St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and would likely qualify as cultural genocide by modern standards. The Catholic Church’s campaign in Ireland was part of a broader strategy to spread Christianity throughout Europe and beyond. Pope Celestine commissioned St. Patrick to convert the Irish population and during this era the Church was known to use various methods to establish its dominance over other religious practices, including the use of violence and coercion. Furthermore, the offensive imagery and stereotypes that permeate St. Patrick’s Day events are appalling. The caricatures of Irish drunkards and barmaids perpetuate harmful stereotypes and ignore the diverse and complex nature of Irish culture. Not to mention all the people who claim Irish heritage without knowing a bodhrán from a hurling stick (did I mention I’m not Irish?). And if you didn’t think it was bad enough to mock an entire culture when they’re down, consider the countless cheap companies who shamelessly chase profits selling throw-away paraphernalia, trivializing Irish culture and generating tons of unnecessary waste. From shamrock-shaped sunglasses to leprechaun hats, these products perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to environmental degradation.”

[@TheStoryCrow]

Some good points about contemporary celebrations, they’re a bit tacky eh. ☘️🤷‍♂️ Don’t know where your early quote is from, but doubt it’s from a historian - it’s not very nuanced. It’s hard to know the true picture of the historical conversion of Ireland. But yes, I too lament the loss of the old ways, but they’re still around if you know where to look 👍

[@pbohearn]

A little judgey, eh?

[@crimthann-fathach]

It is absolute nonsense to insist that there was a forced conversion. Ireland is unique in its approach to being converted. Maybe go on actual evidence as opposed to fantastical hagiography written hundreds of years after the fact. There is evidence of paganism and druids several centuries after patrick's time, with druids even being still afforded status in society in the 8th Century. I challenge you to show a single shred of evidence to show that violence was used in Ireland for conversion. Violence works both ways, and there is a reason that there are no 'red' martyrs from the time. The actual writings from Patrick, which at the very least date to the correct time period, if not to the man himself, show that he used the gift giving aspect of Irish society to get kings on his side, and do you real think that a very warrior based culture, that collected heads for shits and giggles were going to let a handful of priests take over? And to your point on "destruction of culture". They did a shite job of it considering that they ended up recording hundreds of those traditional tales to preserve them. The light veneer of Christianity on SOME of the tales served a different purpose than erasure. On top of that, the oral tradition continued alongside the written one.

[@marciecorda5209]

GYPSY LADY ?- Do they say the truth? Not even BABTIZED.

[@NathairRi]

Lay of the oul baggeén

[@TheStoryCrow]

😂☝️

[@jfurl5900]

You say "fiana " like an American "fee anna" .

[@TheStoryCrow]

🙏👍😂

[@clinkedylinkedy1]

If you're not Roma you shouldn't use the reclaimed slur Gypsy. or Irish Traveller for that matter.

[@TheStoryCrow]

It was used by the person in question, who probably did have Roma heritage, but she used the term with a tongue in her cheek, as do I. Don’t seek offence and you won’t find it 😉

[@MrKieras666]

Travellers aren't slur. Knackers,Tinkers or Gypsies aren't either, they're names after what people earned the money for back in the day,making tin kitchen vessels and mending them or knackeringbold horses. What's fecking wrong with Travellers these days,became awfull gobshites with pretensional demanour