Christianity in Ireland
Palladius was one of the first Bishops of the Christians of Ireland, preceding Saint Patrick. The Roman Catholic Church considers Palladius a saint.
Palladius was known to have been married and have a young daughter. He is described as a friend and younger kinsman by Namatianus.
Coming under the influence of Pelagius in Rome, he kissed his family goodbye and bade them farewell in the manner of the Apostles, and lived as an ascetic in Sicily around the years of 408/409, he gave his daughter to a convent on that island.
Historical research has told us that he seemed to have been ordained a priest circa 415, presumably after recanting the teachings of Pelagius.
He lived in Rome between 418-429, and appears to be the "Deacon Palladius" responsible for urging Pope Celestine I to send the bishop Germanus to Britain, where he guided "the Britons back to the Catholic faith."
Some people question if it was the same Palladius who was sent as first Bishop to the Christians of Ireland: Palladius, having been ordained by Pope Celestine, in 430 and was sent as first Bishop to the Irish who believed in Christ.
According to the near-contemporary record by Muirchu in the Book of Armagh it states: 'God hindered him...and neither did those fierce and cruel men receive his doctrine readily, nor did he himself wish to spend time in a strange land, but returned to him who sent him.'
Palladius is most strongly associated with Leinster, particularly with Clonard, County Meath.
There is also a cluster of dedications in the Mearns in Scotland, where the village of Auchenblae is believed to be his last resting place.
As late as the reign of James V royal funds were disbursed for the fabrication of a new reliquary for the church there, and an annual "Paldy Fair" was held at least until the time of the Reformation.
Scottish church tradition holds that he presided over a Christian community there for around 20 years.
Because historical researchers are unsure of his date of death,it seems to fall between the years of 457-461.
It is possible that in later years writers confused Palladius and Saint Patrick.
If the earlier dates of 457/461 indeed refer to him, then it seems that the actual St Patrick died much later about 492/493.
Patrick's mission was largely confined to Ulster and Connacht, while Palladius seems to have been most active in Leinster.
The Vita tripartita states that he died at Cell Fine (thought to be modern-day Killeen Cormac, County Kildare), where he left his books, together with a writing tablet and relics of Peter and Paul.
