Saint Patric's Day, the Irish national holiday

Ireland is the name of an island. It is next to the island of Britain. There are two parts of Ireland:Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland is a different country.

The most famous symbol of Ireland is the shamrock. It has got three leaves. The number of three is very special for Irish people-some even believe it is magic. Everywhere in Ireland you will see green. Green is also one of the symbols of Ireland and everybody wears green on Saint Patric's Day, the national holiday. It is on March,17. 
        Saint Patric is the patron saint of Ireland. He was a Christian holy man who lived long time ago. His real name was not Patrick but  Maewyn Succat.  He had wealthy parents and they had a good life in the country.  When he was 16 years old he was captured by pirates who took him toIreland and sold him to a farmer.

    He worked as a shepherd. He was very lonely and prayed all the time.  One night, after more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick heard a voice – which he believed to be God’s - telling him to escape.  He walked for more than 200 miles until he reached the coast.  He boarded a ship that took him to France where he became a priest.

     He went back to Wales but, several years later, another vision told him that he had to return to Ireland to convert the Druid Irish people to Christianity.

     St. Patrick lived and preached in Ireland for many years. He used the shamrock, a three-leaf clover, to explain the Christian concept of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

     According to a legend, St. Patrick drove all the snakes from Ireland.  This is not true.  Ireland never actually had snakes.

    Saint Patrick died on March 17 – the day people now celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.  Lots of cities in Ireland and in the US have St. Patrick's Day parades.  Most people wear green  and one of the fun Irish traditions is to pinch anyone who is not wearing green on St. Patrick's Day.

3. True or False?

 1. St. Patrick's real name was Maewyn Succat. TrueFalse

 2. St. Patrick was born in Ireland. TrueFalse

 3. As a teenager, he was captured by pirates. TrueFalse

 4. The pirates took St. Patrick to Ireland. TrueFalse

 5.  St. Patrick was forced to work as a weaver. TrueFalse

 6. St. Patrick heard a voice telling him to escape. TrueFalse

 7. He found a group of horse riders and galloped home with them. TrueFalse

 8. St. Patrick went back to Wales and lived there until he died. TrueFalse

 9. He returned to Ireland, where he had lived as a slave. TrueFalse

 10. St. Patrick drove all the snakes from Ireland. TrueFalse