Are you a Cornish tin miner? Then get some ale down you! It's Saint Piran's Day!

"It's Saint Piran's Day!"                    "Fancy a pint?"       

Saint Piran is the Patron Saint of Cornish Tin Miners. 

Today it is traditional for Cornish Tin Miners to take the day off and get drunk in his honour.

If you have any tin in the house it is your duty to join them. Now.

To celebrate in the traditional way and to honour Saint Piran do the following:

1: Find a large square biscuit tin.

2: Eat all of the biscuits within.

3: Brush out the remaining crumbs.

4: Fill the now empty biscuit tin with ale to the brim. Put the lid on and leave it to stand for thirty minutes so that the tin taste tantalises your tongue.

5. Drink the ale from the tin draining it from the four corners in turn. As you turn the tin chant the following rhyme:

"Saint Piran: bless this tin

Bless the ale within within

Bless the ale as it pours inside

Bless me Piran and with me bide"

(Taken from "Prayers to the Saints" collected by Lady Marjorie Havernot - 1865)

6. When you have finished the ale begin the ritual again until all of the ale in the house is drunk.


Saint Piran yesterday.

Please note: you are still expected to work down the mine tomorrow morning.