The story of Saint Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland is widely understood as a metaphor rather than a literal event. There is no evidence that snakes ever inhabited Ireland after the last Ice Age, as the country’s climate and geography made it an unsuitable habitat.

Instead, the “snakes” in the legend are often interpreted as a symbolic reference to paganism, particularly the Druids and pre-Christian religious practices. Saint Patrick is credited with spreading Christianity across Ireland in the 5th century, and the story of him banishing snakes likely represents his efforts to eradicate pagan beliefs and establish Christian dominance. The metaphor aligns with the common Christian imagery of snakes as symbols of evil, as seen in the biblical story of the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

So, while the legend speaks of snakes, it is much more about Saint Patrick’s missionary work and the Christianization of Ireland.