Saint Patrick used the shamrock to illustrate the holy trinity

The story was first recorded 1200 years after his death.

"There is no historical evidence that St Patrick had any connection with shamrock; nothing can be traced in historical documents to confirm the legend that he preached to the Irish people using a trefoil (three leaflets on one stalk) as a parable for the Holy Trinity (Three Persons in One God)."[1]

Historians say the first written references to "shamrocks" as part of St. Patrick's Day celebrations don't appear until the early 18th century, 1200 years after his death.[2][3][4][5]

"The story was first recorded in 1726 in a book about the wild flowers of Ireland written by an English dissenting (protestant) cleric, Dr Caleb Threlkeld, who recorded that:

' This Plant [white clover] is worn by the People in their Hats upon the 17. Day of March yearly (which is called St. Patrick's Day.) it being a Current Tradition, that by this Three Leafed Grass, he emblematically set forth to them the Mystery of the Holy Trinity.'"[1]

Sources:

1. http://www.tippitiwitchet.co.uk/shamrock.html

2. St. Patrick Revealed: The man behind the green beer and the myth.  SLATE  By David Plotz Monday, March 17, 2008

3. The truth behind the shamrock  BBC

4. Myths of St. Patrick's Day  History News Network  By Edward T. O’Donnell 3-11-02

5. Ireland's 'young clover' a St. Patrick's Day legend  USA Today
   

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