St. Columba (521-597 AD), also known as Colmcille in Gaelic, was an Irish monk, missionary, and one of the most important figures in early Christian history
Early Life of St Columba
Columb Cille mac Feidlimid was born in 521 AD into a noble family of the Cenél Conaill. His birthplace was in the Kingdom of Tír Conaill, in the townland of Gartan in today's County Donegal. His father was King Feidlimid MacFergus, the great-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages, and grandson of Conall Gulban, the first Irish nobleman to convert to Christianity. Columba's mother Eithne, was a Princess of Leinster.
From an early age, Columba came under the spiritual guidance of Cruithnechán and first studied at Kilmacrennan in County Donegal where he showed interest in scripture, theology, and poetry.
As Pagan beliefs collapsed due to the spread of Christianity in Ireland, he was sent to study at the monastic school of Cooley, under St Finnian of Moville, a renowned teacher at the time. After training at Cooley, Columba moved to Clonard monastery where he studied under St Finnian of Clonard. Etchen, the Bishop of Clonfad, ordained him as a priest.
Columba was one of the 12 Apostles of Ireland who helped preach Christianity across Ireland and Britain.
St Columba Monasteries
In his early 20's Columba was already gaining a reputation as a monk and religious leader.
In 546 AD he founded a monastery in Derry (Doire Cholmcille) known as Dubh Regles (The Black Church), made from wood and wattle. This church burned down in 788 AD and its monastery was sacked by the invading Vikings in 990 AD. In later years other churches were built in the nearby area. Today the Protestant Cathedral Church of St Columb and the Catholic Church of Columba (Long Tower) stand close to where the original Dubh Regles (The Black Church) once stood. St Columba, or Cholmcille as he is known as locally, is considered the original founder of Derry.
After building the monastery in Derry, Columba travelled all over Ireland and founded, or was instrumental in founding, monasteries at Durrow, Kells, Swords, Glen Colmcille, and Tory Island. These monasteries would later become centers of learning, spirituality, and art, contributing significantly to Ireland’s Christian heritage.
Battle of Cul Dreimhne
Tradition states that Columba disputed with St. Finian of Moville over a psalter (a volume containing the book of psalms and other devotional material). Columba had borrowed the book from St. Finian and had copied the manuscript intending to keep it but St. Finian disputed his right to keep the copy.
The High King of Ireland at the time of the dispute, Diarmaid Mac Cerbhaill, passed sentence by saying:
‘To every cow belongs her calf, therefore to every book belongs its copy’
You could say this was possibly the worlds first case of law against copyright.
Around the same time, King Diarmaid executed a young prince of Connaught who was under the protection of Colum Cille which angered the northern Clan Neill and the Connaught men. In revenge, they fought King Diarmaid in the Battle of Cul Dreimhne in 561 AD who had lost over 3000 men. Its believed these men died in protecting St Columba.
Columcille travels to Scotland
Two years after the Battle of Cul Dreimhne, Columba was exiled from Ireland so he set sail for the Scottish island of Iona. On Iona he founded a monastery that became famous as a centre for Celtic Christianity. Many believe it was here, in Iona monastery, the Books of Kells was created.
Columba travelled to mainland Scotland and on a visit to King Bridei of the Picts, he found the gates of their stronghold bolted shut. On performing the sign of the cross the gates flung open on their own accord, seen as a miracle by many. After this, King Bridei decided to listen to Columba and was then Baptised with many people soon following. He spent the rest of his life traveling Scotland and preach to whoever would listen. When not travelling he would return to Iona and led a monastic life and teaching the word of the lord.
8th June, 597, Saint Columba passed away in Iona where he was buried. 100 years later his remains were removed to Ireland after the threat from Vikings but to this day nobody knows their exact location.
Without a doubt, Saint Columba was a remarkable person who travelled all over Ireland & Scotland helping to spread Christianity and was responsible for the founding of many churches andmonasteries in Ireland. His feast day is celebrated on 9th June.
Sources and related links
- Our Venerable and God-Bearing Father Columba of Iona, enlightener of Scotland (521-597) -www.stcolumbamonastery.org
- Annals of the Four Masters -www.ucc.ie
- The Annals of Ulster -www.ucc.ie
- History of Long Tower Parishwww.longtowerchurch.org
- History of Derry -www.geographia.com
- King Bridei of the Picts -www.ltscotland.org.uk
