St Piran's Day - March 5th

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Among the patron saints of St Patrick, St David and St Andrew is St Piran, the lesser known patron saint of Cornwall. St Piran is said to have crossed the sea from Ireland on a millstone. He is attributed with bringing Christianity to Cornwall and March 5th is St Piran's day. 

The modern observance of St Piran's day as a national symbol of the people of Cornwall started in the late 19th and early 20th century when Celtic revivalists sought to provide the people of Cornwall with a national day similar to those observed by other Celtic regions. Since the 1950s, the celebration has become increasingly observed and since the start of the 21st century almost every Cornish community holds some sort of celebration to mark the event. St Piran's flag is seen flying throughout Cornwall on this day.

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Visitors to Cornwall in the week of the 5th can enjoy the many parades and celebrations that take place in towns and cities across the county. Festivals close to the 19th Acre include:  Truro with its Cornish folk music festival.  Falmouth with its parade of school children through the town.  Penzance,  with the annual performance of St Piran Furry dance and street procession and Perranporth with the annual St Piran Schools Concert. It is in Perranporth where the ancient original church of St Piran is to be found buried in the sands.

Discover

The meaning and origin of Perranzbuloe, the Furry dance and St Piran's flag. Know why a white cross is shown on a black background