The only type of snake one can see in an Irish Garden

Below is the only type of snake one can see in an Irish Garden: a fake snake!  

So how is it that these snake themes are so popular in Ireland? 

The origins of the popular snake theme are the Celts who worshiped snakes.  It is estimated the Celts came to Ireland between 800 BC and 400 BC.  The Celts had an important cultural impact. 

When the Christians came they played on these snake themes to covert the Celts to Christianity.  The Christians combined the snake and other symbols of the Celts with their Christian symbols.  The myth of Saint Patrick banishing the snakes from Ireland is also related to this.  In the myth the snakes are an analogy for banishing Paganism from Ireland.  There was no actual banishing of snakes by Saint Patrick as they never existed in a native environment in Ireland.  

Another thing I find interesting about this picture is that my husband took the picture during the winter in Ireland.  While the snake might be fake the garden isn't.  Another myth is that Ireland is very cold in the winter.  While Ireland is not warm in the winter, being an island Ireland has a temperate climate and doesn't see a lot of sub-freezing temperatures.