Slemish (Patrick's captivity tradition)

Disputed. The captivity is attested in Patrick's own Confessio. Locating it at Slemish is later tradition that conflicts with the Confessio's 'western sea' reference.

In his Confessio Patrick writes that he was taken captive to Ireland as a youth and herded flocks for six years. Later tradition, from Muirchú onward, places that captivity on Slemish mountain. The Confessio itself mentions a 'Wood of Voclut by the western sea', which many place in Mayo.

Source stance: insider. Patrick's autobiography (insider) vs. later hagiography.

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