The speech was viewed millions of times on social media and was criticised by some at home and abroad.
Fr PJ Hughes, of Dromard parish in Co. Longford, claimed that too many public figures ‘fail to see our real culture’ and are disrespectful to St Patrick’s story.
He said: ‘It’s always referred to as St Patrick. That is out of respect for those in the faith.
‘If you want to know anything about St Patrick, we believe his confession – the Confessio – where he recorded his faith in God and how God brought him here and helped him through every situation. It is in the confessions that the people did abuse him when he spoke and that he was challenged. So, nothing has changed.’
Fr Hughes said that there are ‘always people’ who are unsure if they are inside the faith, particularly in the political sphere.
‘Maybe, people who call St Patrick, Patrick, don’t want to be committed to one side or other. They won’t commit,’ he said.
‘They’ve this strange thing that they are afraid of offending people, but they don’t mind offending God. It’s a strange line to stand on. That’s public figures.’
The priest, who came to national attention after being fined for continuing to celebrate Mass during the Covid-19 pandemic, reminded elected politicians that God appoints those to ‘higher authority’.
‘It’s from God they get their wisdom and how they do their work,’ he said.
In her first speech to mark the celebration of St Patrick’s Day, President Connolly used the story of Ireland’s patron saint to remind the public of the ‘resilience and courage of migrants’.
The President referred to St Patrick as ‘Patrick’ on four occasions.
‘As we gather together to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, it is appropriate that we recall the foundational story upon which our National Day is based,’ she said.
‘Patrick was trafficked across the Irish Sea from Britain as a young man in the 5th century, only to return to Ireland as a missionary, giving voice and life to fostering an awareness of the consequences of slavery.
‘The story of Patrick’s life serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage of migrants, the invaluable contributions that they have made and continue to make to the countries they now call home, sometimes even in the face of great adversity. Patrick’s story speaks not only to the Ireland of the fifth century, but to the millions still subjected to trafficking, forced labour and displacement today.’
President Connolly, who attended the St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin yesterday with her husband Brian, added that the story of the patron saint’s journey to Ireland ‘invites us to respond with hospitality and kindness to those suffering the consequences of war and displacement’ who arrive here today.
Áras an Uachtaráin did not respond to queries on why it was decided to refer to St Patrick as Patrick throughout the speech.
Available speeches from former President Michael D Higgins, published on the official website, show the former President consistently referred to the patron saint as St Patrick each year.
Like President Connolly, former President Mary McAleese made references to both St Patrick and Patrick in her St Patrick’s Day speeches.
Independent senator Rónán Mullen said that he sees no problem with the use of the name Patrick, which he said was not offensive to him as a man of Catholic faith. ‘As long as she didn’t call him Paddy, I’m happy enough,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t strike my ears as offensive.’
He added: ‘President Connolly always strikes me as someone who is very respectful of religious constituencies.
‘I don’t take offence at her choosing to say Patrick, instead of St Patrick.’
President Connolly was the subject of online criticisms, including from US right-wing broadcaster and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
He labelled her ‘Ireland’s new communist President’ on social media site X, adding: ‘She calls SAINT Patrick, Patrick four times. In turn ignoring Ireland’s Catholic historical traditions.’