The absence of snakes in Ireland gave rise to the legend that Saint Patrick, a non Irish evangelist, had banished them. Supposedly he chased them into the sea after they attacked him during a 40 day fast he was undertaking on top of a hill. A raw deal for snakes… the imaginings of a very hungry man.
As an admirer of snakes I have always have a problem with St.Patrick for this very reason.
Still, I advise you to wear green on the 17th, if not you risk a pinch! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
RAT: Now, let's see what we can do about those feckin' cats...