Moorish Tag Day: The Truth Behind St. Patrick’s Day and the Moors of Ireland
St. Patrick’s Day, widely celebrated on March 17th, is often portrayed as a joyful Irish holiday commemorating the Christianization of Ireland and the supposed expulsion of “snakes” by St. Patrick. However, beneath this widely accepted narrative lies a deeper, hidden history—one that has been obscured by colonial revisionism. The truth reveals that Ireland was once a stronghold of the Moors, and the so-called “snakes” driven out were not literal reptiles but a people: the Picts, a diminutive and dark-skinned indigenous group whose existence was nearly erased from history. This essay seeks to uncover the Moorish origins of Ireland, the true identity of the “snakes,” and the political and cultural erasure that reshaped history.
Moorish Influence in Ireland
The presence of Moors in Ireland is an aspect of history that has been largely suppressed but finds evidence in ancient records, folklore, and archaeology. The Moors, a diverse people of North African and Iberian descent, established strongholds throughout Europe, including Ireland. These Moors were skilled navigators, architects, and scholars who left an indelible mark on Irish culture. Ancient Irish texts, such as the Lebor Gabála Érenn (The Book of the Taking of Ireland), mention various waves of settlers, some of whom bore strong resemblances to the Berbers and other Moorish peoples.
Linguistic evidence also supports this connection. The Gaelic language has traces of Afro-Asiatic linguistic structures, and many Gaelic words bear resemblance to Arabic and Berber terms. The architectural remains of round towers in Ireland further indicate a connection to the Moors, whose architectural expertise shaped Spain, North Africa, and beyond. Additionally, the genetic studies of certain Irish populations reveal traces of North African and Iberian DNA, suggesting historical intermingling.
The So-Called “Snakes” of Ireland: The Picts and Moorish Tribes
The most well-known legend surrounding St. Patrick is that he “drove the snakes out of Ireland.” However, this claim is highly suspect, as Ireland has never had a native snake population. The truth is that these “snakes” were the Picts—a small, dark-skinned people who lived in Ireland and Scotland before the arrival of later waves of European settlers.
The Picts were known for their intricate body tattoos and lived in fortified settlements, much like the Moors of North Africa. Many historians have noted that the Picts were described as having “dark complexions,” and ancient Irish and Scottish records often referred to them as “the little dark ones.” Over time, their depiction was mythologized, and they were transformed into the fictionalized image of the “leprechaun”—a mischievous, diminutive figure associated with luck and gold. This transformation was part of a larger effort to erase their historical and cultural significance.
The so-called St. Patrick, whose real name is believed to be Maewyn Succat, was not a native Irishman but rather a Roman Briton who was taken to Ireland as a slave and later became a missionary. His role in converting Ireland to Christianity was not peaceful but rather a forced assimilation, which included the destruction of Moorish and Pictish temples, the suppression of their spiritual traditions, and the violent expulsion of those who resisted conversion.
Cultural and Religious Suppression
The Moors and the indigenous peoples of Ireland had their own spiritual systems that predated Christianity. These systems included sun worship, nature reverence, and practices similar to those found in ancient African and Berber traditions. However, with the spread of Christianity, these traditions were labeled as “pagan” and systematically eradicated.
Monasteries and libraries that once held ancient knowledge were either destroyed or repurposed for Christian use. The Brehon Laws, an advanced legal system that governed early Ireland, were heavily influenced by pre-Christian traditions and bore similarities to Moorish legal codes. However, these laws were eventually replaced by those imposed by the Roman Church and later by the British colonial rulers.
The suppression of this history was so complete that today, most people celebrating St. Patrick’s Day do so without any knowledge of its true origins. The modern holiday, with its green beer, shamrocks, and parades, is a manufactured event that obscures the reality of what happened to Ireland’s indigenous and Moorish populations.
Restoring the Truth: Moorish Tag Day
To reclaim this history, many scholars and truth-seekers refer to St. Patrick’s Day as Moorish Tag Day—a day to honor the true legacy of the Moors and the Picts who once thrived in Ireland. Instead of celebrating the forced Christianization and erasure of indigenous peoples, Moorish Tag Day serves as a reminder of the resilience and contributions of the Moors in Europe.
The effort to restore this knowledge is not merely about history but about identity. Understanding the true history of Ireland challenges the colonial narratives that have shaped Western perspectives for centuries. It reaffirms the interconnectedness of African, Berber, and Gaelic peoples and highlights the depth of Moorish influence that extended beyond North Africa and Spain.
Conclusion
The common narrative surrounding St. Patrick’s Day is a fabrication designed to mask the violent suppression of Ireland’s original peoples—many of whom were of Moorish descent. The so-called “snakes” expelled from Ireland were not reptiles but the Picts and other indigenous groups who were labeled as “heathens” and systematically erased. Ireland was not a land awaiting Christian salvation but a thriving cultural center with deep ties to the Moors.
As we seek to correct the falsehoods of history, it is imperative to acknowledge Moorish Tag Day as a day of remembrance and truth. By reclaiming this knowledge, we honor those who came before us, ensuring that their legacy is not lost to the distortions of colonial history.
