Gool Peran Lowen!
Today is St Piran's Day, honouring the patron saint of Cornwall. He is also the patron of tin-mining as legend has it that he discovered the metal -- in fact the Cornish flag (St Piran's flag) is said to represent the white metal flowing through the black rock when Piran discovered it.
Piran was a 6th century Cornish abbot who, tradition says, came from Ireland. From an early time, chroniclers identified this name as being cognate with the Irish Kieran meaning "little dark one."
The name is found in many forms, including Peran, Perran and Pyran.
The annual St Piran Play on Perran Sands.
Fellow Cornish Saints:
Breaca — St Breaca was a princess of ancient Dumnonia (Cornwall & Devon) who travelled to Ireland to become a nun at St. Brigid's foundation. She returned to Cornwall and built several churches, including one in Breage which is named after her.
Beryan — St. Beryan (or Buriana in Latin) was an Irish princess who travelled to Cornwall with St Piran and was renowned for her healing abilities.
Brioc — A Welsh saint, also known as Bryok and Breok, who converted the King of Dumnonia, Conan Meriadoc, to Christianity and is commemorated in St. Breock. His name is a shortened form of Briafael derived from the Celtic brig "mighty" and mael "prince."
Carantok (ca-RAN-tok) — A Welsh saint who travelled to Cornwall as a missionary and is commemorated in the village of Crantock. His name derives from the Celtic karant "friend."
Clether — A son of Brychan who settled in Cornwall. His name possibly derives from cledd "sword" and gwyr "man."
Derwa — A Cornish saint who is commemorated in Menadarva. Her name is possibly related to the old Welsh derw "oak."
Endelyn (en-DEL-in) — Known as Endelienta in Latin, Endellion in English, Endelyn was one of the daughters of Brychan who came to Cornwall. She is commemorated in St Endellion, the anglicised form, or Sen Endelyn in Cornish. Some think she is the same as Brychan's daughter Cynheiddon. It is possible that her name derives from luen "full" and the intensifying prefix ande-. It may be that she was originally a pagan diety of a well, spring or local river which would make the latter meaning quite appropriate.
Erc — Known as Ercus in Latin, Erg in Welsh and Erth in English, St Erc was an Irish bishop who came to Cornwall as a missionary.
Gerren — St Gerren (or Gerens) was an ancient king of Cornwall who is remember in the place name Gerrans. The name is the Cornish equivalent of Geraint.
Goron — St Goron was a Celtic saint who gave his name to Gorran in Cornwall. The name derives from the Celtic kawaro "hero."
Ia — St Ia or Ya (Latinised as Hia and anglicised as Ive) is a the patron of St Ives and a sister of St Erc. Her name may derive from the Celtic *yewo "yew."
Keyne — St Keyne is another daughter of Brychan, and one of the most notable, who performed many miracles. Her birth name was the Welsh Cain meaning "beautiful."
Mabyn (MAB-in) — St Mabyn was a daughter of Brychan who is commemorated in St Mabyn where she was a hermitess. Her name was Latinised as Mabena.
Mawgan — A disciple of St Brioc and notable bishop. His name is thought to derive from the Celtic Maglocunos "great prince."
Morwenna (mor-WEN-a) — A daughter of Brychan who is commemorated at Morwenstow. Her name derived from the Cornish moroin "maiden"
Petroc — Petroc was once also the patron saint of Cornwall alongside Piran. His name is thought to be a variant of Patrick.
Senara — A Cornish saint who gave her name to Zennor. It possibly derives from the Celtic seno "old" and waro "hero"
Wenna — The old Cornish form of Gwen "white, fair, blessed" and the name of several Cornish saints.
