How to celebrate St David's Day

St David’s Day takes place every year on 1^st March and is one of the most important days in the Welsh calendar. Throughout Wales, St David’s Day is full of parades, concerts and eisteddfodau – a festival of everything Welsh. You’ll find that many Welsh people also mark the day by pinning daffodils to their clothes but why do we celebrate it and what can you do to get involved.

St David is arguably the greatest figure in Welsh history. He is said to come from the 6^th century and was the founder of several religious communities. In fact, out of all the patron saints in the UK, he’s the only native born one – so that makes him definitely worth celebrating!

1^st March is thought to be the date that St David died in the year 589 and has been celebrated ever since. According to legend, St David was born in the year 500, so he lived a pretty long life in comparison to other saints. He was the grandson of Ceredig ap Cunedda, the King of Ceredigion and was born on a hilltop in the middle of a storm. The spot is now marked with the ruins of Non’s Chapel and the nearby well is said to have healing powers.

After reaching adulthood, St David became a preacher. He founded monasteries and churches across Wales, France and South West England. It is believed that Glastonbury Abbey, one of England’s most famous is thought to have been founded by him. He made pilgrimages to Jerusalem, bringing back a stone that is now sat at St David’s Cathedral, which can be found on the site of his original monastery. Throughout his life he was known to be a teetotal vegetarian and his monks followed an austere life, reputedly only eating leeks and water.

If you want to join in with St David’s Day celebrations, here are some of the ways you can do it.

One of the easiest way to get involved in St David’s Day is to enjoy some traditional Welsh foods. Either buy or bake yourself some Welsh Cakes or Bara Brith, a traditional Welsh tea loaf, enjoy some Glamorgan sausages or cawl, a traditional soup.

If you’re in Wales, head to St David’s Cathedral where you can join in with the local events. Other events include a Dragon Parade and the National St David’s Day Parade. St David’s Hall in Cardiff often hosts an evening of Welsh songs on the day too.

Learn more about Wales’ heritage here.