Ia of Cornwall

Saint Ia of Cornwall, also called Hia, Eia or Ives, was an Irish virgin, an evangelist and martyr in Cornwall in the fifth or sixth century. The town of St Ives bears her name.

She is said to have been an Irish princess and a sister of Saint Erc of Slane. Legend tells that she came to the seashore to depart for Cornwall with other saints, but they had gone without her, thinking her too young for such a hazardous journey. Grieved, she prayed and saw a small leaf floating on the water; she touched it with a rod and the leaf grew. Trusting God, she embarked on it and was carried across the Irish Sea, reaching Cornwall before the others, where she joined Saints Gwinear and Felec. It is said that she had up to 777 companions. She is believed to have founded an oratory in a clearing in a wood, on the site of the parish church now dedicated to her. She was martyred under King Teudar (Tewdwr of Penwith) on the River Hayle, and the church of Saint Ia was built over her grave.

The town of St Ives grew up around that church. A ruined chapel near Troon was also dedicated to her. She is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 3 February (new style).