Thought to have been born in Wales during the Roman era in about 373, Patrick was enslaved as a teenager and taken to Ireland.
After being reunited with his family, as an adult he is said to have joined the priesthood before returning to Ireland as a missionary in 432.
James Franklin, of Culture Vannin, said the Isle of Man’s association with St Patrick, which dates to about 444, was “pretty much the same”.
“The story is the same between us and Ireland – that he came here, brought Christianity, banished snakes and his mark is left all over the Isle of Man.”
This was done in folklore, place names and in the dedications of churches and holy wells.
“From that,” Franklin said, “we know that he had an extremely strong place in Manx hearts back in the day.”
Although there were historical and geographical accounts of St Patrick being on the Isle of Man, he said the “space between folklore and history is very thin”.
