NEWS ARCHIVE
You can see copies of press releases issued throughout Colmcille 1500 here including for Feast Day and Birthday celebrations. The Gallery section also includes links to Instagram posts.
GALLERY
A FINAL WRAP
www.colmcille1500.com
It is now a final wrap of the Colmcille 1500 programme. Thank you to all our followers and partners for helping to make the commemorations memorable and for creating special legacy resources for years to come.
We have uploaded a large range of resources to our website (see link above) where you can find over 70 online events as well as 70+ other resources such as short films, animations and publications.
You can also find links to other useful resources or websites – bringing together all Colmcille online resources in one place. The social media platforms will remain for now as a resource also. See attached for a few favourite images over the past year.
Deirdre Harte, Colmcille 1500 Project Manager
Donegal County Council/ Derry City & Strabane District Council
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
ILLUSTRATED MAP OF PLACES LINKED TO COLMCILLE
Ireland & Scotland | Éire & Albain | Èirinn & Alba
https://colmcille1500.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Colmcille-Illustrated-Map-Ireland-Scotland-A3-FINAL.pdf
An illustrated map of places associated with Saint Colmcille/Columba in Ireland and Scotland – history, legends and legacy
Sa léarscáil mhaisithe seo tá cuid de na háiteanna a bhaineann le Colm Cille le feiceáil – stair, seanchas agus oidhreacht
Tha am mapa dealbhaichte seo a’ sealltainn cuid dhe na h-àitichean aig a bheil ceangal ri Naomh Calum Cille – Eachdraidh, seann-sgeòil is dìleab.
Click on link above for full copy of map
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
COLMCILLE 1500 SURVEY
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/colmcille1500
We’ve had about 30 returns for our survey and would love to see more! If you haven’t had a chance to complete it yet, it would be great to have your feedback.
Click on the link above to tell us what you thought in terms of Colmcille 1500 events, online content, marketing and legacy. The survey is related to any/all aspects of the wider Colmcille 1500 programme (i.e. organised across local, regional and national partners). It should take only a few minutes and all answers are anonymous.
#colmcille1500
COLMCILLE 1500 SURVEY
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/colmcille1500
Did you attend any events, participate or follow the Colmcille 1500 programme in any way? We would love to get your feedback on your experience of the year. Click on the link above to tell us what you thought in terms of events, online content, marketing and legacy. The survey is related to any/all aspects of the wider Colmcille 1500 programme (i.e. organised across local, regional and national partners). It should take only a few minutes and all answers are anonymous.
#colmcille1500 @donegalcountycouncil @dcsdcouncil
Did you know that 15th August was one of the traditional days to visit a St Colmcille Holy Well or is part of a traditional ‘Turas’ (journey or pilgrimage) period running from the saint’s Feast Day on 9th June?
In Gleann Cholm Cille (Glencolmcille), the ‘Turas Cholm Cille’ is performed between 9th June and 15th August each year and is 4.8km long, taking about three hours to complete. Pilgrims visit 15 stations and perform specific prayers and rituals at each. You can take a virtual tour of the Turas at https://voicesfromthedawn.com/glencolumcille and see 3D models of the stations/ancient monuments at https://skfb.ly/opR9R
Image credit: Oideas Gael
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
STRINGS OF HEAVEN | TÉADA NA BHFHLAITHEAS
Another chance to hear this beautiful original harp composition, supported as a Colmcille 1500 project by Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Museum Services. The video and composition capture the beautiful landscape and landmarks associated with the Saint’s life alongside the harping heritage of the area. The initiative was led by Glór Dhún Geimhin with composition by harper Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh and vocal soloist Aoife Nig Uiginn https://niarchive.org/projectitems/colmcille-1500-strings-of-heaven.
Seans eile leis an bhundréacht álainn don chláirseach a chluinstin, a fuair tacaíocht mar thionscadal Cholm Cille 1500 ó Sheirbhísí Iarsmalainne Chomhairle Buirge an Chósta agus na nGlinnte. Léiríonn an físeán agus an dréacht an tírdhreach álainn agus na sainchomharthaí a bhaineann le saol an Naoimh taobh le hoidhreacht chláirseoireachta an cheantair. Glór Dhún Geimhin a stiúraigh an tionscnamh le dréacht a chum an cláirseoir Nollaig Ní Bhrollaigh agus an t-aonréadaí gutha Aoife Nig Uiginn https://niarchive.org/projectitems/colmcille-1500-strings-of-heaven
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
THE GLEBE HOUSE & GALLERY
Did you know that Glebe House, located near Colmcille’s birthplace, was originally known as St Columb’s? It was built in 1828 as the rectory to St Columba’s (Church of Ireland), Churchill, in the Parish of Gartan. It was later sold and opened as St Columb’s Hotel in 1898, running as a hotel until the 1950s when it was bought by landscape and portrait painter Derek Hill. In 1981, Hill donated St Columb’s, and his private art collection there to the Irish state and his former studio was converted to a gallery. Tours of the house are available and you can see an eclectic mix of works on display ranging from Pablo Picasso to Edgar Degas as well as Irish artists James Dixon, Jack Butler Yeats and Louis le Brocquy. You can find further information at https://glebegallery.ie.
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba #GlebeHouse&Gallery
THE SCHOOLS' FOLKLORE COLLECTION
You may remember we previously shared animations produced by schools as part of the Colmcille Digital Schools’ Folklore Project. But did you know that it was inspired by and aimed to revive interest in the national Schools’ Folklore Collection carried out nearly 100 years ago?
More than 50,000 schoolchildren from 5,000 schools across Ireland were enlisted between 1937 and 1939 to collect folklore as well as riddles and proverbs, games and pastimes, trades and crafts from their parents, grandparents and neighbours. It resulted in the creation of over half a million manuscript pages and is generally referred to as ‘Bailiúchán na Scol’ or ‘The Schools’ Collection’.
It resulted in 267 pieces of folklore relating to Colmcille, with 172 of these from schools in County Donegal. You can see a small selection of these here and find further details of the overall collection at https://www.duchas.ie/en as well as a sample of other Donegal content at www.donegalcoco.ie/culture/heritage/heritagenews/scealtaibooklet/#d.en.20535.
The 1500th anniversary project created a 21st century version of some of the Colmcille stories in a digitally animated form which you can see at www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvYRrBSAwzQ.
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
DUAIS DÌLEAB CHALUIM CHILLE | THE COLMCILLE LEGACY AWARD
CHArts Argyll and Isles (Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly) created this national award scheme in Scotland in partnership with Bòrd na Gàidhlig to commemorate the life and cultural legacy of Colmcille throughout the Year of Colmcille 1500.
It invited Gaelic artists to create and display artwork that celebrated, remembered and interpreted the role of Colmcille in the past and in contemporary society. 11 artists were supported across a variety of media. You can see a sample of images here and find further details at https://www.chartsargyllandisles.org/showcase.
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba @chartsargyllandisles
BATTLE OF KNOCKAVOE ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION 1522-2022
A reminder that this exhibition is in place at the Alley Theatre in Strabane until Friday 22nd July 2022. There is also a live webinar "In conversation with the Artist: Seán Ó’Brógáin" on Wednesday 13th July at 7.30pm who created the incredible art for the exhibition. You can register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../401.../WN_Ki6ayG2fTyGYTpvM4UZRng
We were delighted to have liaised with colleagues at the Tower Museum to include some Colmcille context in the Knockavoe exhibition. Did you know that one thousand years before the Battle of Knockavoe, St. Colmcille was born into the Cénell Conaill, of whom the O'Donnell dynasty descended from? Manus O’Donnell who led the troops into Knockavoe, was responsible for producing an account of Colmcille’s life as well as commissioning buildings in Gartan and Kilmacrennan, of which ruins still remain today.
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba @alley_theatre
INFORMAL CLOSING EVENT
Monday 27th June 2022 | Colmcille Heritage Centre, Gartan, County Donegal
Thank you to everyone who came to the informal event in Colmcille’s birthplace in Gartan yesterday to mark the end of the Colmcille 1500 programme and launch a short souvenir booklet of the year. You can see some photographs from the event here.
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
IMEACHT SCOIR NEAMHFHOIRMIÚIL
Dé Luain 27ú Meitheamh 2022 ar 2.30pm | Ionad Oidhreachta Cholm Cille, Gartán, Contae Dhún na nGall
Beidh imeacht neamhfhoirmiúil le comóradh a dhéanamh ar chlár Cholmcille 1500 á chomhreáchtáil ag Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall agus Comhairle Chathair Dhoire & Cheantar an tSratha Báin ar siúl san áit ar rugadh Colm Cille ar 27ú Meitheamh. Seolfaimid foilseachán gearrcuimhneacháin agus beidh an Dr. Brian Lacey inár gcuideachta le cuid dá chuid smaointe a roinnt linn ar an bhliain atá thart mar chlabhsúr fóirsteanach ar an chlár. Tá spásanna teoranta ann agus mar sin tá sé riachtanach áit a chur in áirithe. Má tá suim agat a bheith i láthair déan RSVP faoin Chéadaoin 22ú Meitheamh trí ríomhphost chuig colmcille1500@donegalcoco.ie.
INFORMAL CLOSING EVENT
Monday 27th June 2022 at 2.30pm | Colmcille Heritage Centre, Gartan, County Donegal
An informal event to mark the end of the Colmcille 1500 programme being jointly delivered by Donegal County Council and Derry City & Strabane District Council is being held in Colmcille’s birthplace on 27th June. We will launch a short souvenir publication and Dr. Brian Lacey will join us to share some reflections of the past year as a very fitting wrapping up of the programme. Places are limited so booking is essential. If you are interesting in attending please RSVP by Wednesday 22nd June by emailing colmcille1500@donegalcoco.ie.
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
GAIRMSCOIL CHÚ ULADH: STAIR AGUS SCÉALAÍOCHT
Raphoe Diocese held a schools competition for Colmcille 1500 last year. Gairmscoil Chú Uladh in Béal an Átha Móir (Ballinamore in the central Gaeltacht area stretching from Glenfin to Doochary and Glenties) won the post-primary section with their film ’Stair agus Scéalaíocht’ (History and Storytelling). You can see some pictures here painted by second year students and watch the film (in Irish) at: https://1drv.ms/v/s!ArZTqiC-JDHwgaFIm3vjfvAnSrTMjA
Gairmscoil Chú Uladh
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
FEAST DAY | 9TH JUNE 2022 | AN TURAS
Thankfully the sun shone last night for the ‘An Turas’ Feast Day event in Derry as part of the wrapping up of Colmcille.
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
FEAST DAY | 9TH JUNE 2022 | COLMCILLE COLOURING BOOKS
Donegal Heritage Office has produced a colouring book as part of the Colmcille 1500 commemorations which highlights some of the heritage sites, places, objects and archives associated with St. Colmcille’s life and legacy.
For the Feast Day, free copies are being made available from local libraries. You can also pick up a copy from the Donegal County Museum, County Donegal Heritage Office or download a digital version at www.donegalcoco.ie/heritage.
Copies have also been distributed to all 23 primary schools named after the Saint across the two Council areas.
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
FEAST DAY | 9TH JUNE 2022
Happy St. Colmcille/Columba Feast Day! A reminder that you find further details of plans to mark the Feast Day across the North West region at http://ow.ly/rt5850JoVxb.
First up this morning, a special mass in St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny, celebrated by the Bishop of Raphoe, will be broadcast on the RTÉ News Channel at 10.30am. Whilst this evening, the Bishop of Derry will mark the Feast Day with mass at St. Columba’s Church, Long Tower, at 7.30pm followed by a blessing of St. Columb’s Well in Derry. A special ‘An Turas’ pageant will follow.
Meanwhile, St Augustine’s Church wil celebrate 150 years since it was consecrated on 9th June 1872 with a special Feast Day performance by Opera Hibernia at 7.30pm https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/st-augustines-150th-anniversary-concert-tickets-345622314647?fbclid=IwAR133k7oIP4RSSqGKvnyMK1viXxI1Pj5ghYiwmMht9PVKJjU9oNTXa7yY6I
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
FEAST DAY | 9TH JUNE 2022 | COLMCILLE COMIC
Donegal Library Service has released a very special illustrated comic produced as part of a Colmcille Digital Folklore Project by schools in Donegal and Derry in partnership with Libraries NI. The comic takes a light-hearted look at the folklore and legends of the Donegal saint. Copies are available in local libraries or you can download a copy at: https://www.donegallibrary.ie/media/donegal-library/contentassets/files/pdflibrary/Colmcille%201500%20FINAL.pdf
@DonegalCountyLibrary @LibrariesNorthernIreland
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
LÁ FHÉILE CHOLM CILLE
An tIarthuaisceart le ceilúradh a dhéanamh ar Lá Fhéile Colm Cille agus deireadh ag teacht le himeachtaí ceilúrtha 1500 bliain
Tá pleananna á ndéanamh le ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar Lá Fhéile Colm Cille le sraith imeachtaí ar siúl ar fud an Iarthuaiscirt Déardaoin 09 Meitheamh.
http://ow.ly/rt5850JoVxb
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
FEAST DAY | 9TH JUNE 2022 | GLEANN CHOLM CILLE
See below for details of events taking place for the Feast Day in Gleann Cholm Cille:
• Turas Colmcille Meán Oíche (Wednesday midnight) Meeting at Church of Ireland, Glencolmcille
• Aifreann as Gaeilge 10 i.n., Teach Phobal Naomh Columba, An Chaiseal, Gleann Cholm Cille. Mass in Irish at St. Columba's Catholic Church, Glencolmcille
• Turas Colmcille 12 noon, Community Led group to do the Turas Colmcille, Glencolmcille. Meeting at St. Columba's Church of Ireland, Glencolmcille.
• An information stand with tea/coffee/refreshments will be at St. Columba's Church of Ireland, Glencolmcille from 11am-4pm.
#LárchomhairleParóisteGhleanncholmcille
(083)025 0509
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
An Turas- The Journey: A Celebration of Colmcille
📆 Thursday 9th June 2022 approximately 8.30pm
📍 St. Columb’s Well, Derry
The evening will explore Colmcille’s life and legacy. Featuring dance, theatrical poetry readings, installations and the finest of local traditional musicians, this is an experience not to be missed.
🌐More info: https://bit.ly/3PUmv7y
𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭. 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐚'𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲
📆 Sunday 5th June 3pm-4pm
📍 St Colmcille's Abbey, Churchtown/Rath Cnó, Gartan, Co. Donegal
The Church of Ireland, Diocese of Derry & Raphoe, are holding a special event at St. Colmcille's Abbey in Gartan, County Donegal, to mark the Feast Day.
Bishop Andrew Forster (Bishop of Derry and Raphoe) will be speaking at the event at 3.00pm which will include music, prayers as well as children's activities.
Refreshments available afterwards. Everyone is welcome.
COLM CILLE & DÉARDAOIN | COLMCILLE & THURSDAY
In folklore there are many associations linking Colmcille with Thursdays. Found in Hebridean traditions but also in the customs and beliefs of Donegal and the northwest of Ireland. The following poem copied by Manus Ó Domhnaill in 1532 makes it clear (Source: Donegal Annual 2021).
Sa bhéaloideas is iomaí ceangal a nascann Colm Cille leis an Déardaoin. Faightear í dtraidisiúin na nInnse Gall é ach chomh maith leis sin i nósanna agus creidimh Dhún na nGall agus iarthuaisceart na hÉireann. léirítear sin sa dán seo a leanas a chóipeáil Mánus Ó Domhnaill in 1532 (Foinse: Donegal Annual 2021).
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
CONSERVATION OF COLMCILLE HISTORIC SITES | KILMACRENNAN
Did you know that as part of the 1500th anniversary year, conservation works have been completed at two Colmcille sites in County Donegal - Kilmacrennan Abbey and St. Colmcille’s Chapel, Gartan? The works were funded by Donegal County Council and the North West Development Fund and have played an important role in conserving the ruins of these archaeological monuments for future generations. Today we have included information and images from the Kilmacrennan site.
CILL MHIC RÉANÁIN – KILMACRENNAN
In the 16th century, the clan chieftain Manus O’Donnell built a Franciscan friary here on the site of a monastery founded by Colmcille before he left for Scotland, which survived until the 12th century. According to ‘The Life of Colum Chille’ commissioned by Manus O’Donnell, Kilmacrennan is where Colmcille was educated by his foster father Cruithneachán and where local children gave him the name Colum (Dove) of the Cill (Church). The place was once known as Doire Eithne, a reference to Colmcille’s mother and was also used for the religious element of the inauguration of the O’Donnell chieftains.
The remains of the Friary today include most of the South wall with the attached East gable and a short section of the West gable. The interior is filled with graves. The Kilmacrennan Abbey Preservation Society had been campaigning for many years for conservation of the site, where in recent times, access had been restricted due to safety concerns.
The works included stabilisation, consolidation and conservation of the remains as well as rebuilding of a section of the North boundary wall of the graveyard which had previously collapsed. A second phase of works included conservation works to the ruins of the nearby old Church of Ireland. Works were overseen by Dedalus Architecture and included supervision by an archaeologist. You can see some before and after photos here.
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
CONSERVATION OF COLMCILLE HISTORIC SITES | GARTAN
Did you know that as part of the 1500th anniversary year, conservation works have been completed at two Colmcille sites in County Donegal - Kilmacrennan Abbey and St. Colmcille’s Chapel, Gartan? The works were funded by Donegal County Council and the North West Development Fund and have played an important role in stabilising and conserving the ruins of these archaeological monuments for future generations. Today we have included information and images from the Gartan site.
RÁTH CNÓ (CHURCHTOWN), GARTAN
This is the place where Colmcille’s family is said to have lived and where he was born. The land was later given over for the development of a monastic settlement, with the foundation ruins of a 10th century Abbey still visible within the graveyard today. In the 16th century, the clan chieftain Manus O’Donnell built a small chapel here. Manus was also responsible for commissioning an account of Colmcille’s life ‘Betha Colum Chille’ which was completed in 1532 and is the main source for the links between Colmcille and the Gartan area.
The site is still used as a ‘Turas’ by pilgrims who walk barefoot between marked stations which include the Chapel, Abbey and Holy Well as well as
two stone crosses that would originally have been part of four crosses that marked the boundaries of the monastic settlement. The Turas was part of a longer medieval pilgrimage route which linked sites associated with the early life of Colmcille including the nearby Leac na Cumha (Lacknacoo) ‘The Flagstone of Sorrow or Loneliness’.
The works included stabilisation and conservation of the 10th century Abbey’s remaining low walls and the 16th Chapel building ruins, which incorporated removal of vegetation growth. As ancient monuments, all work was supervised by an archaeologist. You can see some before and after photos here as well as other images from the site.
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
N56 COLMCLLE PUBLIC ART
Have you seen this sculpture yet on the N56 near Kilmacrennan? It was commissioned as a Percent For Art Project and funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland as part of the N56 Coolboy to Kilmacrennan Road Scheme.
Artist Niall Bruton created the sculpture to capture the essence of the Saint as a monk-like figure with a crescent of doves. It stands in an area symbolically shaped as the Scottish island of Iona and surrounded by decorative kerb stones created in workshops with local schools. The artist also created the iconic sculpture of St Colmcille located in St Columb’s Park in Derry.
Check out these beautiful images of the sculpture by Clive Wasson as well as of the artist’s other sculpture in Derry (Derry image courtesy of the Churches Trust).
#colmcille #colmcille1500 #columba
COLMCILLE STORIES | SCÉALTA CHOLM CILLE
Another story and illustration from the children’s section of our website. The artwork was produced by the Nerve Centre as a part a joint Council Colmcille 1500 exhibition which is in the Donegal County Museum until 25th April 2022 – somewhere to take the kids over the Easter holidays?
THE BATTLE OF DÚN CEITHIRN - The great battle Colmcille predicted is thought to have taken place at what is known today as the Giant’s Sconce. It is 632 AD. From the fortress of Dún Ceithirn the defenders can see past the River Bann to the sea beyond. Desperate cries fill the air as the forces of Congal Caoch, from east Ulster, and Domhnall mac Aodhae, a relative of Colmcille’s and king of Tara, meet in fierce warfare. Domhnall wins, but the cost is terrible. You can see all the stories at: https://colmcille1500.com/english/kids
CATH DHÚN CEITHIRN - Meastar gur tharla an cath ollmhór a thuar Colm Cille ag áit ar a dtugtar Sconsa an Fhathaigh sa lá atá inniu ann. 632 AD atá ann. Ó dhaingean Dhún Ceithirn, is féidir leis na cosantóirí feiceáil níos faide ná an Bann, chomh fada leis an fharraige lastall dó. Líonann liúnna millteanacha an aer agus tá ina chogadh dearg idir fhórsaí Congal Caoch, ó oirthear Uladh, agus Domhnall mac Aodhae, gaol le Colm Cille agus rí na Teamhrach. Tá an bua an Domhnall, ach íoctar go daor as. Is féidir na scéalta a fheiceáil ag: https://colmcille1500.com/gaeilge/kids
#colmcille1500 #Donegalcomuseum #colmcille #columba
COLMCILLE STORIES | SCÉALTA CHOLM CILLE
Another story and illustration from the children’s section of our website. The artwork was produced by the Nerve Centre as a part a joint Council Colmcille 1500 exhibition which is in the Donegal County Museum until 25th April 2022 – somewhere to take the kids over the Easter holidays?
COLMCILLE AND THE DEMONS - After St Patrick banished the evil spirits from Croagh Patrick, they fled to Glencolmcille which they filled with a deep mist. Much later, when Colmcille arrives to banish these angry demons, the devil throws a spear at his party, killing his servant an Chearc. Enraged, Colmcille hurls the spear and his holy bell back into the valley. He banishes the demons to the sea, where they became red fish, blind, harmless and inedible. You can see all the stories at: https://colmcille1500.com/english/kids
Scéal eile agus léaráid ó rannán na bpáistí dár suíomh gréasáin. Is é Ionad na Néaróg a rinne an obair ealaíne mar chuid de chomhthaispeántas Comhairle atá ar ais arís in Iarsmalann Chontae Dhún na nGall go dtí 25ú Aibreán 2022.
COLM CILLE AGUS NA DEAMHAIN - I ndiaidh gur dhíbir Naomh Pádraig na hainsprideanna ó Chruach Phádraig, theith siad go Gleann Cholm Cille, agus líon siad le ceo tiubh é. I bhfad níos déanaí, nuair a thagann Colm Cille chun an ruaig a chur ar na deamhain fheargacha sin, caitheann an diabhal sleá ag a bhuíon, agus maraítear a shearbhónta, an Chearc. Agus é ar an daoraí, radann Colm Cille an tsleá agus a chlog beannaithe ar ais isteach sa ghleann. Díbríonn sé na deamhain chun na farraige, áit a ndéantar éisc dhearga, dhalla, neamhdhíobhálacha, do-ite díobh. Is féidir na scéalta a fheiceáil ag: https://colmcille1500.com/gaeilge/kids
#colmcille1500 #Donegalcomuseum #colmcille #columba