St. David’s day is celebrated in Wales and by

Welsh people all over the world.

St. David’s is celebrated on the 1st of March every

year.

St. David is said to have died on the 1st of March in 589 and this is why the date of 1st March is chosen as the national day of celebrations for

the Welsh.

He was the son of Sant and was descended

from the royal house of Ceredigion.

St. David’s mother was Non. She was the daughter of Cynyr of

Caio who is remembered by

churches and holy wells in Wales.

Who was St. David?

• St. David is also known as Dewi Sant. • St. David is famous because he lived a Celtic monk, an abbot and a bishop. • He also became the Archbishop of Wales.

When St. David was the

archbishop of Wales he helped

to spread Christianity among the people of

western Britain.

St. David was thought to have been a very gentle person who lived a frugal

life.

It is said that he ate mostly bread and herbs. Despite this simple diet, it was also said that he was tall and very

strong.

St. David travelled on missionary journeys

throughout Wales, where he established several

churches. He also travelled to the

south and west of England and Cornwall as

well as Brittany in France. It is also possible that he

visited Ireland.

What did St. David do?

St. David had two friends who were the Saints Padarn

and Teilo. They are said to have often followed St. David on his journeys. Once they went together on a pilgrimage to

Jerusalem to meet the Patriarch (or the

‘Head’ Bishop).

St. David is sometimes known, in Welsh, as 'Dewi Ddyfrwr' (David

the Water Drinker).

Water was an important part of his life because it is said that is

all he drank.

Sometimes, St. David would stand up to his neck in a lake of cold water.

St. David founded a

monastery at Glyn Rhosyn (Rose Vale)

which is on the banks of the River Alun. It was where the

cathedral city of St. David stands

today.

St. David’s monastery was very

strict and the brothers had to work very hard as well as pray and celebrate

masses.

The monks had to get up very early in

the morning for prayers and

afterwards they worked very hard in

the monastery.

On St. David's Day many towns have

a parade each year through the centre of town.

Concerts are also held in pubs, clubs, concert

halls and theatres.

How is St. David’s Day celebrated?

Children in Wales take part in school

concerts or ’eisteddfodau’.

These are festivals of literature, music and performances with

readings and singing.

This is the flag of St. David which is flown in the celebrations.

Cawl or Welsh broth is also made and eaten on St. David’s Day.