Wikipedia article on whiskey:

Irish whiskies are believed to be the invention of St. Patrick, the patron of Ireland. Having just stepped on the shore of the “Green Island”, he immediately began two works pleasing to God: producing “holy water” [whisky] and converting the Gentiles to the true faith.

I imagine this: Patrick is sitting, chasing the barley, and around him the pagans are sitting, tasting this barley and converting to the true faith.