Attention Saint Patrick

A science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. Set on an alien colony named Eire, reminiscent of Ireland in its cultural essence and folklore, the story revolves around the challenges faced by an Earth colony struggling to survive due to an infestation of troublesome creatures called dinies. The work draws on themes of mythology, cultural identity, and the significance of divine intervention through the lens of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is humorously presented as a character with godlike influence over the planet and its inhabitants. The narrative unfolds as President O'Hanrahan navigates the pressures of governmental oversight and environmental crises, particularly the devastating impact of dinies on the colony's economy and food supply. Tension rises with the arrival of Sean O'Donohue, an influential committee chairman from Earth who is skeptical of the colony's progress and threatens to withdraw essential support. As chaos ensues with the emergence of black snakes, which have been inadvertently introduced to control the diny population, the story crescendos into a comedic clash of cultures and ideologies. A young woman named Moira O'Donohue's discovery of a biological solution to their diny problem provides hope, ultimately showcasing ingenuity and adaptability in the face of absurd challenges, while prompting a humorous re-evaluation of myth and tradition within the fragile dynamics of colonial existence.