An amusing anecdote hailing from Scattery Island, with ties to St. Patrick, is worth recounting, as shared by Donohoe’s Magazine.

It revolves around a newly-ordained priest who received an invitation to deliver the panegyric of St. Patrick on his feast day in Limerick. The grand cathedral was packed with eager attendees, and the young, somewhat nervous priest made his way to the pulpit. As he ascended the pulpit stairs, he had to pass through a throng of clerical students, many of whom were his friends.

Just before he reached the pulpit, he leaned in and whispered to one of his fellow clerics, known for his mischievous nature, “Can you quickly tell me where St. Patrick was born?”

The cleric replied with a mischievous grin, “In Scattery Island, of course. Surely you know that.”

With this piece of information in mind, the young priest commenced his well-prepared and eloquent sermon. His words resonated with the congregation, particularly those who, like him, were proud citizens of Limerick—the city of the violated Treaty.

However, an amusing twist awaited him towards the end of his sermon, when he intended to mention St. Patrick’s birthplace. He declared with enthusiasm, “What an encouraging thought it must be for you to lead holy lives, you faithful Catholics of Limerick, knowing that the great St. Patrick was born on that sacred island—the island at the mouth of your splendid river.”

The elderly bishop, who happened to be quite hard of hearing, had been placed at the front of the pulpit stairs with his ear trumpet so that he could follow the preacher’s discourse. Everything was proceeding smoothly until the priest’s factual inaccuracy regarding St. Patrick’s birthplace.

In response, the bishop could no longer contain himself and shouted, “That is not true, sir! St. Patrick was not born there!”

Undeterred, the young orator continued, “His lordship, the bishop, corrects me and says that St. Patrick was not born on that island. But it matters not much when we consider that its soil was made sacred by his footsteps and hallowed by his tears and prayers.”

The priest seemed prepared to go on, but the bishop’s patience had run out. He raised his voice even louder, “Come down, sir, come down at once, and don’t teach what is false. St. Patrick was not born on that island or, for that matter, set foot on it. Blessed be that saint, but he blessed this county from Limerick.”

The humorous incident serves as a reminder that even in moments of reverence and solemnity, a touch of miscommunication can lead to unexpected laughter and memorable tales.

Hampshire Advertiser – Saturday 21 July 1906