Q 01/05

In which modern-day country was St. Patrick born?

A) Ireland

B) Italy

C) France

D) Britain

Answer · why

D) Britain

Patrick was born in Roman Britain, the son of Calpurnius, a decurion; his Confessio names his family's villa at Bannavem Taburniae, a site never secur...

Q 02/05

What was St. Patrick's birth name before he became known as Patrick?

A) Maewyn Succat

B) Brendan MacCool

C) Colm O'Brien

D) Declan Murray

Answer · why

A) Maewyn Succat

Tradition gives his birth name as Maewyn Succat; the seventh-century writer Tírechán listed four names for him, including Magonus and Succetus, while ...

Q 03/05

According to legend, what did St. Patrick drive out of Ireland?

A) Wolves

B) Vikings

C) Snakes

D) Romans

Answer · why

C) Snakes

Post-glacial Ireland never had any snakes; the earliest account of Patrick chasing them into the sea is by Jocelyn of Furness in the late twelfth cent...

Q 04/05

On what date is St. Patrick's Day celebrated each year?

A) March 1

B) March 15

C) March 25

D) March 17

Answer · why

D) March 17

March 17 is the traditional date of Patrick's death; the Irish annals record it under both 461/2 and 492/3, the latter claiming he died aged 120.

Q 05/05

How old was St. Patrick when he was captured and taken to Ireland as a slave?

A) 10

B) 16

C) 21

D) 25

Answer · why

B) 16

In his Confessio Patrick says he was about 16 when raiders seized him from his family's villa at Bannavem Taburniae; he was held six years before esca...