Denis Lehane: Snakes, off-licences and other legends

St Patrick was a great man when it came to ridding Ireland of snakes.

My grand-uncle Murty, who lived a long, long time ago, was a good friend of our beloved patron saint, and told me a few years back what he was really like.

“I remember once,” said Murty “St Patrick and I were having a few jars in this old shebeen. ‘Twas the early hours, and we were in high spirits.