The origins of the shamrock are lost in antiquity, but legend suggests that it was used by St. Patrick in the fifth century to demonstrate the meaning of the Trinity.

The shamrock is found on Irish medieval tombs and on old copper coins, known as St. Patrick's money.

The plant was reputed to have mystic powers... the leaves standing upright to warn of an approaching storm.

It is said that Patrick had a time of it trying to convince the people he met in Ireland to believe in the Holy Trinity. Reflecting for a moment, Patrick plucked a shamrock from the earth, and pointed to the three leaves on the shamrock, living proof of the Holy Trinity.

Since then, the Shamrock has become the symbol of the land of Ireland.

Only one thing is certain about the shamrock, worn by millions on St. Patrick's Day. The word is derived from the Irish 'seamrog', meaning 'summer plant', and it remains Ireland's most famous symbol.