The Legend of Saint Ia
St Ives, when translated into old Cornish, is “Porth Ia” - meaning “St Ia’s Cove”. This refers to the Cove of St Ia, where the legend of an Irish Princess, who originally founded St Ives in the 5th century. It was said that Ia’s fellow Saints had forsaken her on their voyage for Cornish dominion, but her faith led her aboard a divine leaf. Upon this leaf, our small Princess washed upon the land we now call home. Since then, both the town and its parish church bares her name.
The Island
“The Island” in St Ives, which our rum is named after, sits on the peninsula connecting to Porthmeor beach. Legend tells it that The Island, although now not an Island at all, got its name from the fact it would become an island during aggressive storms at high tide. Ancient tales say it was here that the Cove of St Ia can be found. A tiny fire-lit chapel was built atop The Island to house Preventative Men in an effort against aspiring Smugglers…
SAILS OF BLACK and WHITE
Though the King’s men stationed atop The Island were charged with preventing Smugglers and Pirates coming ashore, it would seem as though they were either paid off or incredibly inept in their duties. For as long as we can remember, our grandfathers and their great-grandfathers have recalled the underground tunnels that began at the mouth of St Ia’s Cove and spread to the cellars of all the town’s taverns via hidden doors and passageways. Whilst the Pirates would sneak themselves into town, the Smugglers would sell illegal contraband to the landlords - in the form of tax-evaded rum, tropical fruits, and exotic spices from across the Atlantic. Even today, evidence alluding to these tunnels has been uncovered.
The Mermaids of Zennor
Just beyond the Cove of St Ia, sailors were warned of the murderous Mermaids of Zennor. Ships and their Captains would often be seduced by their beautiful and enchanting songs, only to be attacked and feasted upon moments later. If the shores of Zennor turned red, nearby fishermen knew what had occurred before the screams reached the shore.
Saint Ives Island Rum
One Winter’s night, two local bartenders shared stories of mermaids, shipwrecks and smugglers passed down by their grandfathers over a glass of rum. They decided to combine their passion for spirits with a love for St Ives’ forgotten history. And on that night, Saint Ives Island Rum was born.
So our beloved hometown is steeped in folklore, that’s for sure. True or not, today many of us enjoy the Island and surrounding beaches as our own small tropical paradise. So like the Islands of St Martin, St Vincent, and St Lucia, famous for their rum - our little island town now has its very own - seeking to support all local efforts to keep the St Ives’ heritage, legends, shanty culture, and past-times alive.