The body of the ‘old Santa Claus’ or the man who inspired the current Santa Claus can be found buried in County Kilkenny.
St Nicholas is in fact entombed in Ireland according to historians and is buried at Jerpoint Abbey. Historians say that he was buried there some 800 years ago.
St Nicholas lived during the fourth century and was the Bishop of Lycia in what is now Turkey, and was canonised soon after his death in 346.
He was known for offering anonymous gifts to those that were less fortunate and is said to have put coins in the shoes of people who left them out for him.
He became the original ‘Santa Claus’.
He was buried in the cathedral church at Myra, but historians claim that his remains were brought to Ireland by French crusaders after his grave was looted by Italian sailors.
