Hurling the Silver Ball

A Millennium of Chaos Where Cornwall’s Sea and Tradition Collide

2026/02/08

Every February, the harbor town of St Ives in Cornwall bursts into life for “Hurling the Silver Ball,” a thousand-year-old tradition that blends rugby-like intensity, ritualistic reverence, and Cornish pride. Laughter echoes along the cobbled streets, children’s shouts and music mix with the salty air, and the whole town feels alive with living folklore and the wildness of the Cornish coast. If you want to experience a festival older than the town itself, full of raw tradition and local spirit, this is an event you can’t miss.

Hurling the Silver Ball is held annually on the first Monday after February 3rd, as part of St Ives Feast Day, which celebrates the dedication of St Ia’s Church (1434). Local children, residents, and visitors gather to take part in this tradition, which is rich in Cornish Celtic culture and community identity.

Main Attractions

The Hurling Match

The centerpiece of the festival is the wild scramble for the silver ball. After a morning procession and blessing of the ball, the mayor throws a silver-adorned applewood ball onto the harbor beach for the children. For about 90 minutes, the whole town becomes an arena as kids and teens race through sand and narrow lanes, their laughter, shouts, the cold feel of silver, and the crunch of sand underfoot creating an energy that transcends time.

Procession and Ceremony

The morning starts with a civic procession from the Guildhall to St Ia’s Well. The mayor carries the silver ball on a bed of ivy, followed by folk musicians and children crowned with ivy. At the well, the priest blesses the ball, and legends and songs are shared in both English and Cornish. The scent of damp ivy, the sound of fiddles, and the sight of children dancing make the town feel like a living storybook.

Costumes and Decorations

Participants wear sprigs or crowns of ivy in honor of St Ia, and musicians and dancers appear in traditional Cornish dress. The silver ball gleams in the winter sunlight, and the town is decorated with flags and bunting. The cobbled streets and harbor are filled with color, music, and excitement.

Traditional Food and Drink

After the game, families and friends gather in pubs and cafes to warm up with Cornish pasties, saffron buns, hot chocolate, or local ale. The aroma of baked pastry, the sweetness of saffron, and the warmth of a bustling pub are all part of the festival’s charm.

Cultural and Historical Background

Hurling the Silver Ball dates back over 1,000 years, with deep roots in both Celtic and Christian traditions. Once played by adults, the game now centers on children, celebrating community, luck, and St Ia, the town’s patron saint. Holding the ball is believed to bring luck, health, and fertility, and the event continues to pass on Cornish identity to the next generation.

Participant Voices

"I grew up in St Ives, and the Feast Day hurling is always the highlight of my year. It’s muddy, wild, and the best day ever. My granddad still tells stories of his hurling days." — Jack (local resident)

"We visited in February just for this festival. The music, the ivy, the kids running everywhere—it felt like a Cornish fairy tale. My daughter got to hold the ball for a moment and couldn’t stop smiling." — Emily (visitor)

"For me, hurling is all about community. I help with the procession every year, and seeing the whole town come together from the blessing at the well to the final scramble makes me proud to be Cornish." — Megan (local resident)

Fun Facts

The silver ball is made of applewood and sterling silver, held together with a silver band.
Hurling is considered Cornwall’s “national sport,” alongside Cornish wrestling.
At noon, whoever returns the ball to the Guildhall receives a traditional reward of five shillings from the mayor.
After the match, pennies are thrown from the Guildhall balcony to the crowd—a favorite for local children.
This tradition survives only in St Ives and St Columb Major, where the latter holds a rougher, adult version: town vs. country.