"That's Saint Patrick? He looks like Sawyer from Lost!" This astounding observation brought forth protest from another female tourist, albeit a slightly older one, "No, he looks like Errol Flynn."

I have to admit that overhearing this exchange made it obvious to me how Hollywood-friendly the portrait of Saint Patrick in Armagh's Anglican cathedral is. See for yourself on the left. Was the saint really so easy on the eye?

Let's be frank - we don't know! Though Patrick is commonly portrayed as a stern elderly man with flowing beard and robes to match, clutching a shamrock and a crozier while driving snakes off the Emerald Isle, most of these depictions are so generic that Patrick could be Saint Nick. If it wasn't for the individual saints' attributes. Modern saints like Padre Pio, very popular in Ireland, have been photographed many times. But the early and earliest saints are nothing more than "artists impressions".

I have put together just a few images of Saint Patrick in a special gallery to illustrate the "typical" portraits and also some interesting variations. You may feel free to pick your individual Patrick from this identity parade of sorts.

Photo © 2009 Bernd Biege licensed to About.com, Inc.

Looking for a challenge? A place to stretch your legs? Even without the "auld triangle" going jingle-jangle you will enjoy a walk along Dublin's Royal Canal. And even meet Brendan Behan, author of "The Quare Fellow", celebrated drinker and convicted terrorist. His statue near Mountjoy Prison (where he spent the odd night) shows him in deep communication with a bird.

A brisk walk of four hours will bring you from Dublin's city centre to the rural pastures near Leixlip. The terrain is flat most of the time, you will be following the old towpaths. These have been restored in recent years for use as a walkway, and even though you might get dirty shoes, the walk is only a challenge in the distance department. A challenge you don't have to take in one bite - convenient train stations nearby allow for a comfortable journey back to Dublin at several points.

The Royal Canal Walk will take you through a Dublin seldom experienced by tourists and even locals ... miss it at your own peril!

Photo © 2007 Bernd Biege licensed to About.com, Inc.

Yes, it is that time of the year again, all the world thinks "green", not as in low emissions, but as in "Emerald Isle". Saint Patrick's Day is upon us and from the frozen wastes of the tundra to the deepest heart of Temple Bar the party will be in full swing. According to a quick survey amongst About.com guides around the globe, there'll be no escaping. So, brace yourself, put on something green, brush up on the blarney - and in alphabetical order here are the places to wet your shamrock, from Boston to Washington plus some truly exotic locations thrown in: Read more...

Shopping in Ireland can be a confusing and depressing experience - you worked so hard for that Size 8, you find your dream dress in Dublin, you try it on ... and it doesn't fit. The shop assistant gets you a Size 10, it fits. Should you have refused that Irish breakfast you had? Then you spot some shoes to match the dress, you ask for Size 6. Only when shoes as big as boats arrive do you start to think "Something's wrong here!"

Dress and shoe sizes in Ireland are different to those in the US - larger numbers for dresses of the same size, smaller numbers for shoes. So heed the essential shopping tip: Don't buy it until you are sure of the real size, preferably by trying it on!

• Ireland's Sizes, Weights and Measures - Some Handy Conversion Tables
• Opening Times for Shops, Banks, Attractions and Others
• Shopping in Ireland