Saints

Many of the 4th to 7th century Saints of Britain/Wales, Scotland and Ireland probably have a mythological origin.  This period has been referred to as the 'Dark Ages'.  Although, Ireland is least suspect, as European Scholars, usually, turned up there fleeing 'Gothic' or Northern tribes.  So, it might be plausible that certain saints were deified tribes-people or old spirits from Irish belief.  Obviously, this is my rehash of old and new scholarship on the topic.  Unfortunately, there are few definite answers, as historians rely on written material and little documentation remains from the era, hence the title, "The Dark Ages".