A happy St Piran’s Day to all my friends in Cornwall. You don't know about St Pirran?? Let me tell you a little ..
St Piran, the Patron Saint of Tinners and Cornwall was born in Ireland.
In the 5th century, after spending time in Rome to study the scriptures he returned to Ireland and was made a Bishop.
There it was believed that he performed many miracles, such as raising soldiers slain in battle back to life. But the Kings of Ireland were not happy.
The heathen Irish decided to be shot of him, so they tied a millstone around his neck and flung him into the sea. This was no great problem for the good saint, because he climbed onto the millstone and miraculously floated across the water to Perran Beach in Perranporth.
There, he built a small chapel.
St Piran then built his oratory amongst the sand dunes, and people would come from miles around to hear him preach.
The Romans had brought tin smelting, but the skill had been lost and it was St Piran who rediscovered the method, but quite by accident. A black stone on St Pran’s fire leaked a white liquid. And there it was, tin.
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 for 200 years. Unlike David in Wales he was fond of a drink and met his end falling down a well. No date of his death was recorded.
I am sure that he would have enjoyed a glass of Chateau 41 ... I raise my glass to St Pirran..
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