This year all the schools in the Derry Diocese are celebrating the anniversary of the birth of one of Ireland’s Patron Saints – St. Colmcille, also known as St Columba.
We really enjoyed researching Colmcille and found out so many interesting facts about him. It was very exciting to find out how many links there were around our school and in Derry associated with him.
- Saint Colmcille was born in Gartan, Co. Donegal in AD521.
- He was christened Crimhthann, but was known as Colmcille later in his life.
- His mother was Princess Eithne of Leinster.
- His father, Fedelmidh, was the great grandson of King Niall of the Nine Hostages.
Colmcille was a well-educated scholar. He attended many different schools around Ireland.
- He first attended St. Finnian’s monastic school in Derry.
- After this, he travelled down to Clonard Monastery, Co. Meath.
- His last place of study was St. Mobhi’s, Glasnevin, Co. Dublin.
He only stayed a short time in Dublin because there was a breakout of the plague. He returned to Donegal at this point. We can sympathise with this! We also have had experience of a global pandemic – Covid 19. We understand why he had to return home… and we are glad he did! Because.... In AD545, he founded his first monastery in Co. Derry!!! We have tried to recreate what that monastery may have looked like. Colmcille went on to found over 60 monasteries and churches in Ireland.
While researching, we found out that Colmcille means 'dove of the church' and that he built the monastery in Derry facing North to South - deviating from the normal East to West orientation. This was so he didn't have to chop down too many oak trees (which he felt were special and sacred)! We are proud that our school crest has a dove on it, and an oak leaf. We feel those symbols connect us to our Patron Saint, St Colmcille.
