The saint’s mission in Munster was eminently successful.  Lonan, the chief of the district of Ormonde, entertained him with great hospitality, and thousands embraced the faith.  Many of the inhabitants of Corca Baiscin crossed the Shannon in their hidecovered boats (curaghs) when the saint was on the southern side, in Hy-Figeinte, and were baptized by him in the waters of their magnificent river.  At their earnest entreaty, St. Patrick ascended a hill which commanded a view of the country of the Dalcassians, and gave his benediction to the whole territory.  This hill is called Findine in the ancient lives of the saint; but this name is now obsolete.  Local tradition and antiquarian investigation make it probable that the favoured spot is that now called Cnoc Patrick, near Foynes Island.

The saint’s next journey was in the direction of Kerry, where he prophesied that “St. Brendan, of the race of Hua Alta, the great patriarch of monks and star of the western world, would be born, and that his birth would take place some years after his own death."[130]

We have now to record the obituary of the only Irish martyr who suffered for the faith while Ireland was being evangelized.  While the saint was visiting Ui-Failghe, a territory now comprised in the King’s county, a pagan chieftain, named Berraidhe, formed a plan for murdering the apostle.  His wicked design came in some way to the knowledge of Odran, the saint’s charioteer, who so arranged matters as to take his master’s place, and thus received the fatal blow intended for him.

The See of Armagh was founded about the year 455, towards the close of the great apostle’s life.  The royal palace of Emania, in the immediate neighbourhood, was then the residence of the kings of Ulster.  A wealthy chief, by name Daire,[131] gave the saint a portion of land for the erection of his cathedral, on an eminence called Druim-Sailech, the Hill of Sallows.  This high ground is now occupied by the city of Armagh (Ard-Macha).  Religious houses for both sexes were established near the church, and soon were filled with ardent and devoted subjects.

The saint’s labours were now drawing to a close, and the time of eternal rest was at hand.  He retired to his favourite retreat at Saull, and there probably wrote his Confessio.[132] It is said that he wished to die in the ecclesiastical metropolis of Ireland, and for this purpose, when he felt his end approaching, desired to be conveyed thither; but even as he was on his journey an angel appeared to him, and desired him to return to Saull.  Here he breathed his last, on Wednesday, the 17th of March, in the year of our Lord 492.  The holy viaticum and last anointing were administered to him by St. Tussach.[133]

The saint’s age at the time of his death, as also the length of his mission in Ireland, has been put at a much longer period by some authors, but modern research and correction of chronology have all but verified the statement given above.