The night was May 1, 433 A.D. Multitudes of people had filled the region of Tara in obedience to the annual summons. On this night no fire in all of Hibernia was to be lit until the great royal fire was ignited by the high king. As the last of the days light faded a small company lead by a man named Patrick made a stand on the nearby Hill of Slane. Outside the fortress of the high king the druids were preparing a great pile of wood for their own bonfire. Suddenly a voice cried out, “Behold, my Lords, The ancient and venerable rights of Tara have been violated with unhallowed fire!” But who was this St. Patrick really? What forces were really fighting against him? Where did his courage come from?