ae 
WAS ST. PATRICK ‘A CUMBRIAN? 
By Rev. JOHN I. CUMMINS, O.S.B. 
(Read before the Maryport Society. ) 
THE question as to the birthplace of the Apostle of Ireland has 
long been a matter of controversy. Almost as many places claim 
the honour as of old claimed that of being Homer’s birthplace. 
Nor is it likely, in the absence of fresh and convincing evidence, 
that the question will ever be satisfactorily settled. It may seem 
therefore a waste of time to discuss the matter further, more par- 
ticularly when we propose to advance an entirely novel theory, and 
to defend the claims of yet another country to the honour of having 
given birth to the Apostle of the Irish. Yet the very fact that 
learned men have so long disagreed shows that there is still room 
for other claims; and the very novelty of an opinion may lend 
interest, if nothing else, to its discussion. 
The old national rhythm asserted that “St. Patrick was a gentle- 
man, and came of decent people ;” but so vague a description of 
his family and connections was not likely to satisfy either the 
devotion of his admirers or the curiosity of archeologists. Nor 
were materials for further conjecture altogether wanting. In the 
authentic writings of the Saint himself, in the early lives written by 
his immediate disciples, as well as in the ancient traditions of his 
people, there were to be found allusions and names which have 
proved a fertile source of conjecture as to the nation and locality 
from which he sprang. The main facts are admitted; it is in the 
interpretation of them that authorities differ, Many have claimed 
