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Saint Piran - From Irish Exile to Cornish Legend

St. Piran, holding the flag of Cornwall, which bears his name
St. Piran, holding the flag of Cornwall, which bears his name

The story of the sixth century abbot St. Piran blends history, myth and Celtic Christianity. St Piran was originally said to have been an Irish Bishop who was exiled from Ireland and thrown off the highest cliff in Munster tied to a millstone. The story goes that the saint floated on the millstone all the way to Cornwall where he came ashore at Perranporth, on Cornwall's north coast, on March 5th.

He settled in Cornwall where he established a small religious community and built an oratory - considered by many to be the first church in Cornwall, and perhaps the oldest church in Britain. As well as Perranporth, there are many place names in Cornwall that still bear St Piran's name such as Perranwell, Perranarworthal, Perranzabuloe and Perranuthnoe but the first settlement named after him was Carnperan, meaning ‘rock of Piran’, which was recorded on a charter in 960.


It is believed that St Piran "discovered" tin smelting when his black hearthstone, which contained tin bearing ore, got hot enough for the tin to melt out as white liquid. The Cornish flag was inspired by the white tin flowing from the black rock symbolising the light of God in a dark world and good triumphing over evil. St Piran is the patron saint of tin miners representing the beating heart of Cornish culture, heritage and identity.


Skinner's Brewery label for its beer, which incorporates several motifs from the tale of St. Piran.
Skinner's Brewery label for its beer, which incorporates several motifs from the tale of St. Piran.

St Piran died in the year 480 and during his long life in Cornwall (some say he lived for 200 years) he became very popular with the locals as he had a reputation for celebrating his faith with feasting and merriment. Today, Skinners Brewery based in Truro, the capital of Cornwall, brews St Piran’s Ale which is enjoyed by many on 5th March together with music, singing and revelry which are essential features of the St Piran’s Day parades.


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by Philip Selbie, The Wild Geese

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