Once again St. Patrick’s Day is nearly upon us. For 24 hours each year on March 17th it seems like the whole world becomes a little bit Irish. Green clothing, plastic shamrocks, parades, and leprechauns seem to abound everywhere on this day as we celebrate Ireland’s favorite saint. But as widely as Patrick’s holiday is celebrated, most people actually know very little about who the man really was and why he matters. Here are 5 true facts about St. Patrick.