St Piran was an Irish Bishop, who was thought to have been alive during the early 6th century. During his time in Ireland it is believed that he performed a number of miracles, including bringing soldiers back from the dead. Unfortunately he was exiled by the Kings of Ireland, who bound a mill stone to his neck and threw him into the sea. Despite this, he somehow managed to float to Cornwall and washed up on shore of a small beach near Perranporth (Peran being Piran in Cornish).
St Piran’s Day is a pretty important day for us in Cornwall. Every year, the county celebrates one of the patron saints of Cornwall – St Piran. With a wealth of mining history, it’s no surprise we celebrate the patron saint of tin.
There will be celebrations throughout Cornwall on and around March 5th to celebrate St Piran, Patron Saint of Cornwall:
Newquay: The 2023 Newquay St Piran’s Festival happens both in the north coast town and online at the same time. There are tons of events happening so your best bet is to spend the whole day exploring all the shops with bunting on and all of the Cornish-themed activities that are happening around town. Also, if you’re in Newquay on Friday 3 March, the Newquay St Piran’s Day Parade 2023 starts from the Legacy Hotel Victoria in East Street at 4pm.
Truro: The main day of celebration in Truro is actually Saturday 4 March. The 2023 Truro St Piran’s Festival takes over the city throughout the day, with the famous 2023 Truro St Piran’s Parade setting off at 1pm from Waterfall Gardens on St George’s Road and ending later at High Cross with speeches and a rendition of ‘Trelawny’, the Cornish anthem. Also look out for a shop window competition that’s judged on the Saturday morning and there’s also the annual Truro St Piran’s Day 2023 Farmers Market between 9am and 4pm alongside the traditional Truro Farmers Market’s Pasty Competition 2023. Also head to Truro Community Library between 10.30am and 12.30pm for St Piran family activities.
St Austell: A community event to ‘celebrate St Pirantide 2023 and all things Cornish’ takes place in St Austell on Saturday 4 March. From 10am to 3pm, enjoy Cornish music, stalls, local crafts, ‘guess the name of the teddy’ and a ‘Cornish Language Corner’ in the town’s White River Place. Also expect a craft fair, a couple of Playmake Theatre performances and music in Market House, plus there’s a ‘parade of troubadours’ around the town taking place from 1.30pm, with a ‘Trelawny shout’ after the parade.
Penzance: On Thursday 2 March, from 7pm at Penzance‘s St John’s Hall, a special ‘Cornish concert’ is taking place. St Piran’s School Choir will be in full voice alongside the Penzance Guizers. Adult £5 and children £1 tickets are available on the door. On Friday 3 March, the St Piran Furry Dance winds its way through Causewayhead and Morrab Gardens. Local school children will be the stars of the dance alongside the Mayor of Penzance and the Town Crier. It starts at 10.15am. Expect road closures.
Redruth: Drumroll… for the first time in three years, Redruth‘s St Piran’s Festival Parade hits the streets on Saturday 4th March.. It will set off from Lemins Court at 11am and head up Fore Street before finishing back at Lemins Court at 12 midday. The Redruth Town Band will lead alongside Penkevyll the Oss.
Perranporth: The town of Perranporth is often seen as the heart of all the celebrations. This year, head to Penhale Sands section at 2pm on Sunday 5 March to see hundreds of people dressed in white, gold and black marching upon St Piran’s Cross next to the ancient St Piran’s Oratory. If you’re parking, get there for 1pm and pop the car in the Perran Sands holiday park overflow car parks.
Falmouth: The 2023 Falmouth St Piran’s Festival Parade actually takes place in Falmouth on Monday 6 March. It leaves The Moor at 10am and winds through the town, finishing at Church Corner.