St Piran’s Day (or Gool Peran in Cornish) is the national day of Cornwall. The name derives from one of the patron saints of Cornwall, Saint Piran, who was also the patron saint of tin miners.

The History of St Piran's Day

Legend tells that Piran was a 5th-century Cornish Abbot originally from Ireland. The Irish King was suspicious of his powers and cast him off a cliff and into the sea tied to a millstone. Piran survived the stormy seas and washed up in Perranporth, Cornwall, where he built an oratory to promote Christianity and adopted disciples who were said to be a badger, a fox and a bear.

Piran then became famous for his accidental discovery of tin. A black stone on his fireplace got so hot that a white liquid leaked, collecting in the shape of a cross. This became the first tin smelting and the St Piran’s Flag (the white cross on the black background which is now the Cornish flag). This discovery earned Piran the title of ‘Patron Saint of Tinners’ as tin mining then became the backbone of the Cornish Industry.

According to legend, Piran was fond of a drink or two but despite this, he lived to the ripe old age of 206!

St Piran’s Day Celebrations Today

In the late 19th and early 20th century, Celtic revivalists sought to provide the people of Cornwall with a national day similar to those in other nations. Since the 1950s St Piran's Day celebrations have become increasingly popular and since the start of the 21st century almost every Cornish community holds a celebration to mark the event! The Saint Piran's Flag is also seen flying throughout Cornwall to this day.

This year St Piran’s Day will be held on the 5th of March 2024 and will see many exuberant celebrations take place all over Cornwall to honour Saint Piran.

St Piran's Day in Newquay 2024

Newquay will play host to lots of Cornish celebrations this year! You can see the itinerary so far below:

Leading up to St Piran's Day

2nd and 3rd March 2024 - St Piran's Trail around Newquay 

Pick up your trail map from the Visit Newquay Tourist Information Centre. Follow the map around town to different locations with posters containing letters.

Collect the letters to solve the mystery "Cornish" word. Once you've figured it out, bring your completed clue sheet back to the Tourist Information Centre to claim your prize!

This trail is the perfect free activity for families this St. Piran's Day. Learn about Cornish culture and heritage while exploring Newquay.

Download St Piran's Trail Map 

St Pirans Day Parade 

5th March 2024 - St Piran's Day Parade. Participants in the parade will start collect at Beachfield Avenue from 3.30pm, then the parade starts for public viewing at 4.00pm departing from Gover lane, passing through Bank Street and then East Street to finally finish at The Hotel Victoria.    

FOR ALL THE ST PIRAN'S CELEBRATIONS HAPPENING IN NEWQUAY PLEASE CLICK HERE 

Newquay - in the heart of Cornwall, celebrating all things Cornwall with one and all.