The legends of St Patrick are many. And, due to the fascination the Irish have had for oral tradition (and a good "yarn" - story) over the centuries, stories about his life are many and sometimes a little 'stretched' in the imagination.

One of the stories is of his using a shamrock as an oral medium to speak about God to a resistant chieftain. Holding the plant aloft he asked the chief how many leaves there were. The man said "Three". Patrick then asked how many seeds it took to make it. "One", was the reply. Using the humble shamrock, now Ireland's national emblem, he proceeded to explain all about the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Hearing him the chieftain then said he could henceforth preach to anyone who would listen to him!

You can read some more about the story of Patrick here. Googling his name though will no doubt bring up many other stories and interpretations of the Irish patron saint!