St Piran was from Ireland or Wales who made his cell of wattle and daub in the sand dunes of Perranzabuloe (‘Perran in the sand’), near Perranporth. The oratory, rebuilt in stone, was covered by sand by the 10C and another, now known as ’Piran’s Old Church’, had to be built further inland. Both have been excavated. St Piran’s Cross, possibly the earliest known stone cross in Cornwall, is situated between the two oratories. The church became a great place of pilgrimage. There is a fine holy well on the road side at Trethevy just north of Tintagel.
