2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Who was St. David?
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.
5. • 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.
6. When St. David
was the
archbishop of
Wales he helped
to spread
Christianity
among the people
of western
Britain.
7. 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.
8. What did St. David do?
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.
9. 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).
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. How is St. David’s Day
celebrated?
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.
14. Children in Wales take
part in school concerts
or ’eisteddfodau’.
These are festivals of
literature, music and
performances with
readings and singing.
15. 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.