Welcome to my homeland of Cornwall, Great Britain, on St. Piran’s Day  when all Cornish people across the globe will come together to celebrate our National Saint’s Day. 

Bounded to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and largely separated to the east from the English County of Devonshire by the River Tamar, Cornwall is the homeland of the Cornish people and the cultural and ethnic origin of the Cornish diaspora. It retains a distinct cultural identity that reflects its history, and is recognized as one of the Celtic nations.

Corn (“peninsula people”) originates from the language of the Brythonic tribe, the Cornovii, and wall derives from the Old English exonym w(e)alh, meaning “foreigner”. 

Our motto is “Onen hag oll” (One and all), signifying the passion and loyalty of the Cornish Celts to their homeland and culture, which is separate from that of England;

Considered by the English as ‘foreigners’ (see above), isn’t it time for Cornwall to be officially recognized as a nation distinct from England? 

However, I digress!  So, who exactly was St. Piran? 

Here are 12 interesting facts about Saint Piran.

• St Piran’s Day is on the 5th of March.
• According to legend, St. Piran was born in Ireland in the 6^th century, where he was said to have performed many miracles, such as bringing back to life soldiers who had been slain in battle. But the Kings of Ireland grew afraid of his powers and jealous of his influence.
• It is told that St Piran had a millstone placed around his neck and was flung into the Celtic sea by the Irish, but he miraculously floated across the water to land on the Cornish shore at Perranporth, where he built a small chapel (oratory).

• St Piran built his oratory among the sand dunes. His first converts to Christianity were said to be a badger, a boar, and a fox, but soon news of his powerful preaching spread and people would come from miles around to hear him preach there.

• St Piran was said to have discovered tin by accident.  When preparing his meal, a heavy black stone forming a part of the fireplace released a stream of white metal that flowed out of the fire.  Although evidence suggests tin was discovered in Cornwall as far back as 2000 BC.
• St Piran is the patron saint of tin-miners and is regarded as the national saint of Cornwall.

• The Cornish Flag, the Flag of St Piran (white cross on a black background) represents white tin flowing from the black rock, or good overcoming evil.
• St Piran is believed to have lived to the grand old age of 206 years.
• He was fond of a drink, hence the saying ‘as drunk as a ‘Perraner’, and met his end falling down a well. 
• Each year, the story of St Piran is retold in a drama on the dunes at Perranporth on the Sunday nearest to March 5.
• St Piran’s oratory, remained in use until the 10th century when shifting sand forced its abandonment.
• St. Piran’s Day is celebrated in mining communities throughout the USA, among those is Grass Valley, California.

Now I better get the pasties in the oven! Enjoy a lovely day!