When he was about 60 years old, he traveled to Ireland to spread the Christian word. He drove the snakes out of Ireland and into the sea. The snake was a death symbol to the Romans and that's why he drove them out of Ireland. The Leprechaun is associated with Saint Patrick's Day. The Leprechauns are an Irish fairy about 2 feet tall, often dressed like shoemakers.
Leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly, they possess hidden pots of gold.
If caught they must surrender their gold or suffer bodily violence. The potato was an essential part of the diet of the Irish people. This is because it was packed with nutrients and vitamins and grows quickly, because of this it was very cheap. By the 1840's potatosd were a major part of the diet for the Irish culture. This aplied especially to the poor.