Saint Patrick (born sometime in the late 4th century - believed to have died on March 17, 460 A.D.), was actually born in Britain. Taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who attacked his family's estate when he was 16, Patrick was transported to Ireland, where he spent six years in captivity, working as a shepherd and spending most of his time outdoors and alone. When he finally managed to escape, Patrick, inspired by a dream, began intensive religious training and eventually became a priest. Considered the patron saint of Ireland, he was never actually canonized by the Catholic Church.