Country Studies

It is also said that during a battle against the Saxons, David advised his soldiers to wear leeks in their hats so that they could easily be distinguished from their enemies, which is why the leek is one of the national emblems of Wales.

St Patrick

The Patron Saint of Northern Ireland is St. Patrick. There is a   cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March.

Saint Patrick is given credit for banishing the snakes from Ireland, sending the broods into the sea. To this day, there aren't any native snakes in Ireland. The banishment of snakes is probably an allegorical explanation for Patrick confronting and defeating paganism. As depicted in medieval art, pagans often worshipped snakes. The absence of snakes is more likely to be caused by the remoteness of the island. Fortunately, Ireland was inaccessible for snakes to reach.