EVENTS
Over 150 events organised by local, regional and national partners took place during Colmcille 1500. These included concerts, exhibitions, conferences, workshops, films, plays and other performances. Due to the challenges of Covid-19 restrictions, over half of these were delivered online. The largest number of events took place around two key milestones – the Saint’s Feast Day on 9th June 2021 and his 1500th birthday on 7th December 2021.
You can see a full list of all events below. Where events still have content or recordings available online to view, you can see these below under ‘Local Events’ and ‘Other Areas’. Some of these as well as other online content are also included under ‘Resources‘.
December 2020 | St Columba’s Church of Ireland
COMMUNITIES COMING TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE COLMCILLE 1500/COLUMBA 1500
An ecumenical night prayer service streamed live from St Columba’s Church of Ireland, Churchill on the eve of St. Colmcille’s birthday 6th December 2020, the start of 1500th anniversary celebrations. Led by Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry & Raphoe and Catholic bishops of both Derry and Raphoe dioceses.
December 2020 | The Churches Trust
ST COLUMBA AT 1500
A short film to mark the start of Colmcille 1500. Representing the Churches Trust, the Church leaders in Derry and Donegal came together to discuss the importance of Columba 1500 years on, why he is still relevant today and why we should celebrate him.
April 2021 | The Churches Trust
COLUMBA HERITAGE ARTWORK TOUR
Launch of film about the artist’s interpretation of the Columba Heritage Trail in Derry/Londonderry.
May 2021 | The Tower Museum & Donegal County Museum
LAUNCH OF EXHIBITION ‘COLMCILLE: MAN AND MYTH’
Renowned historian Brian Lacey officially launches the Colmcille: Man and Myths Exhibition with this short video introducing the famous Saint and his legacy.
June 2021 | University of Ulster Magee
2021 AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF IRISH STUDIES
International virtual conference focusing on themes of Heritage, Healing and Home and featuring key note speech by President D Higgins.
June 2021 | Líonra Leitir Ceanainn & Regional Cultural Centre
SLÍ CHOLMCILLE – DÚCHAS AGUS OIDHREACHT
A short film of music, poetry, history and storytelling presented in Irish and Scots Gaelic with English subtitles.
June 2021 | Gartan Colmcille’s 1500th Anniversary Committee
FEAST DAY CELEBRATIONS IN GARTAN
A video recording of interdenominational gathering in Gartan to mark the Feast Day including unveiling of a commemorative stone.
June 2021 | Diocese of Raphoe Supported by LYIT & Donegal ETB
COLMCILLE: A LASTING LEGACY (VIRTUAL SERIES PART 1 – ORIGINS)
A virtual series in three parts including contributions from religious leaders, historians, scholars, schools as well as music and poetry. Part 1: Origins (the origins of monasticism and the early life of Colmcille).
June 2021 | Diocese of Raphoe Supported by LYIT & Donegal ETB
COLMCILLE: A LASTING LEGACY (VIRTUAL SERIES PART 3 – KEEPING THE WORD ALIVE)
A virtual series in three parts including contributions from religious leaders, historians, scholars, schools as well as music and poetry. Part 3: Keeping the Word Alive (Colmcille’s legacy).
June 2021 | St Augustine’s Church
COLUMBA PAGEANT: – “COLUMBA: A TRIPTYCH”
A narrated production of the pageant which in three parts tells the stories of his mother’s dream, the battle his kinsmen began on his behalf and his eventual remorse. With soundtrack from the original pageant and music by Ardmore Folk.
June 2021 | Colmcille Gospel Choir
ALONE WITH NONE BUT THEE’
A music tribute to St Colmcille in his own words by Margaret McAteer and the Colmcille Gospel Choir. Featuring guest singers including Moya Brennan from Clannad along with other choirs, performers and Glencolmcille Primary School.
June 2021 | Donegal Library Service
COLMCILLE BIBLIOGRAPHY
To commemorate Colmcille 1500, this is a bibliography of books on Colmcille/Columba that are available in the Donegal Studies Collection
June 2021 | St Columb’s Park House
‘COLMCILLE THE MAN’ VIRTUAL TOUR OF ST COLUMB’S PARK
A 360° self-guided virtual tour of sites within St Columb’s Park in Derry including the house, statue and remains of St Brecan’s church.
June 2021 | Brid Carr Music
SUANTRAÍ MÁTHAIR GHARTÁN
A recording of Suantraí Máthair Ghartán ‘Gartan Mother’s Lullaby’ by Brí Carr Music filmed on location in Gartan, to celebrate the Colmcille 1500 anniversary and Feast Day.
June 2021 | Clondavaddog Parish
GUTH COLMCILLE – THE VOICE OF ST COLMCILLE IN THE PARISH OF CLONDADAVOG FANAD
A brochure launched at a special Feast Day celebration at St Colmcille’s Well, Carrowblagh which maps all the key sites associated with Colmcille in Fanad.
June 2021 | The Churches Trust
COLUMBA SCHOOLS PROJECT – PHOTO BOOK LAUNCH
A short film to showcase the completion of a St Columba story book by pupils in three primary schools in Derry – Fountain, Nazareth House and Long Tower.
June 2021 | Gartan National School
CRUINNIÚ NA NÓG – COLMCILLE, CHILD OF GARTAN
A recording from the pupils of the primary school who share their experience of life in Colmcille’s birthplace through art, drama and music.
June 2021 | Airneál Óige Ghleann Cholm Cille (Glencolmcille Youth Arcade)
CRUINNIÚ NA NÓG – GLEANN CHOLM CILLE 2021
Seo léiriú ar oidhreacht Cholmcille le hóige Ghleann Cholm Cille. Aithriseoireacht, amhránaíocht, ceol agus drámaíocht ó Ghaeltacht an Iardheisceart, á chraoladh ó suíomhanna oidhreachta Naomh Colmcille sa cheantar.
July 2021 | St Augustine’s Church
COLUMBA: A TALE FROM BAD TO GOOD
A fun and contemporary take on the life of St Colmcille, produced by Kieran Griffiths of the Playhouse, the video takes a ‘horrible histories style’ look at Columba’s story.
August 2021 | The Tower Museum
COLMCILLE ARTS AND CRAFTS WITH SINEAD CRUMLISH
Get crafty on this follow along video event with artist Sinead Crumlish as she guides you through making some objects inspired by Colcmille myths ‘Monster from the Lough’ and ‘Colmcille Fights a Demon’. Part of the Colmcille Man & Myths Exhibition Programme in partnership with Donegal County Museum.
August 2021 | The Tower Museum
COLMCILLE FOLKTALES & MYTHS WITH JOE BRENNAN
Join renowned storyteller Joe Brennan as he shares some of his favourite stories of St. Colmcille. Part of the Colmcille Man & Myths Exhibition Programme in partnership with Donegal County Museum.
August 2021 | The Tower Museum
ONLINE MEDIEVAL INK WORKSHOP WITH LYNDSEY MCDOUGALL
Experiment with drawings and text using natural pigments collected from the landscape. Part of the Colmcille Man & Myths Exhibition Programme in partnership with Donegal County Museum.
August 2021 | The Tower Museum
ONLINE HAND EMBROIDERY WORKSHOP WITH LYNDSEY MCDOUGALL
Explore easy to intermediate hand embroidery stitches, as a foundation to create your own embroidered artwork. Part of the Colmcille Man & Myths Exhibition Programme in partnership with Donegal County Museum.
August 2021 | Disert Heritage Group & Sligo IT
DISERT DIG 2021 – THE FIRST RESULTS’
A short video to bring to life some initial findings from an archaeological excavation in Disert, a location associated with Colmcille and the early Church.
August 2021 | Donegal Library Service
COLMCILLE BOOKS AND BEYOND: DONAL MAC POLIN “THE IONA CURRACH”
Donal explores Colmcille’s journey from Ireland to Iona and the project that became the Iona Currach. Find out about the history and heritage of the currach from earliest days and its impact on the life and journeys of Colmcille.
August 2021 | Donegal Library Service
COLMCILLE BOOKS AND BEYOND: TIM STAMPTON “THE MALEDICTIONS OF COLMCILLE”
Artist Tim Stampton talks about the figure that inspired his series of illustrations “The Maledictions of Colmcille” and the tales that surround this short-tempered saint.
August 2021 | Donegal Library Service
COLMCILLE BOOKS AND BEYOND: BRIAN LACEY “THE THREE WRITTEN LIVES OF ST COLMCILLE/COLUMBA”
Renowned historian Dr Brian Lacey looks at the literary heritage of Colmcille and challenges some of our preconceived ideas – this lecture focuses on the three main books written about the Saint.
August 2021 | Donegal Library Service
COLMCILLE BOOKS AND BEYOND: PAULA DE FOUGEROLLES “THE MAGIC IN HIS WORD: THE LITERARY HERITAGE OF ST COLMCILLE”
Canadian author of The Chronicles of Iona, talks about the Saint’s literary heritage and inspiration for her series of books about St. Columba and Scottish warrior Aedan mac Gabran, who together lay the foundation of the nation of Scotland.
August 2021 | Donegal Library Service
COLMCILLE BOOKS AND BEYOND: CHRISTY GILLESPIE “IN COLMCILLE’S FOOTSTEPS”
Local historian Christy Gillespie, who published a book on St. Colmcille in 1997 to coincide with the 1400th anniversary of his death, explores the Saint’s birth and early life in Donegal.
August 2021 | Donegal Library Service
COLMCILLE BOOKS AND BEYOND: BRIAN LACEY “THE BOOK OF KELLS AND OTHER COLUMBAN MANUSCRIPTS”
Renowned historian Dr Brian Lacey looks at the literary heritage of Colmcille and challenges some of our preconceived ideas – this lecture focuses on Columban manuscripts.
August 2021 | Donegal Library Service
COLMCILLE BOOKS AND BEYOND: CHRISTY GILLESPIE “TWELVE THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT COLMCILLE”
Local historian Christy Gillespie, who published a book on St. Colmcille in 1997 to coincide with the 1400th anniversary of his death, here explores 12 things we may not know about the Saint.
August 2021 | Donegal Library Service
COLMCILLE BOOKS AND BEYOND: BRIAN LACEY “COLMCILLE AND THE COPYRIGHT STORY – FACT OR FICTION?”
Renowned historian Dr Brian Lacey looks at the literary heritage of Colmcille and challenges some of our preconceived ideas – this lecture focuses on the copyright story – fact or fiction?”
August 2021 | Donegal Library Service
COLMCILLE BOOKS AND BEYOND: JOE BRENNAN “COLMCILLE THE LEGEND – STORIES”
Renowned author and storyteller Joe Brennan brings to life, through storytelling, the folklore and legends that have grown around the figure of Colmcille.
August 2021 | Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter
THE INFLUENCE OF COLMCILLE ON AN TUR GLOINE MOVEMENT
A lecture by Dr David Caron on An Túr Gloine (Tower of Glass) stained glass in St Eunan’s Cathedral Letterkenny where the famous north transept window celebrates the life of St Colmcille.
August 2021 | Allegri Choir
CONNECTING WITH COLMCILLE IN SONG
An online concert as part of the Every Voice Festival bringing together local choirs in sacred song in St Columb’s Cathedral and St Columba’s Church Long Tower in Derry.
September 2021 | Brenda Kelly
COLMCILLE – BOY OF GARTAN
A short contemplative film as an interpretation of Saint Colmcille as a child at play. Showcasing historical sites around his birth place in Gartan, the piece shows that though modern life goes on, Gartan retains its sense of quiet spirituality.
October 2021 | City of Derry International Choir Festival
A NEW COMMISSION FOR COLMCILLE
”De Angelo Domini’ by Eoghan Desmond. An exciting new piece of music for choir and cello inspired by the writings of Colmcille, premiered as part of the ‘Road Home’ concert in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower.
October 2021 | Donegal Chamber Music Society
MOBHI’S BELT
A dramatic music retelling of the story of the effect of a pandemic on Colmcille’s monastic career, with Derry composer Sean Doherty and performed by the Donegal Chamber Orchestra and Conwal Singers.
November 2021 | Allingham Festival/History Ireland Hedge Schools
COLMCILLE 1500 – MAN, MYTH AND MEMORY
History Ireland editor, Tommy Graham, in conversation with a panel including Revd David Houlton, Dr Brian Lacey and Helen Meehan – to explore the truths and myths of Colmcille.
December 2021 | Donegal County Council/Derry City and Strabane District Council
A JOURNEY THROUGH IRELAND & SCOTLAND| TURAS TRÍD ÉIRINN & ALBA
An international virtual event to bring together locations across Ireland and Scotland to collectively celebrate the 1500th anniversary. Included short films from each area (12 videos in total) as well as live panel discussions (event starts around 12:20 mins into 2.5 hour recording).
December 2021 | Donegal County Council/Derry City and Strabane District Council
A CROSS-BORDER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
A cross-border birthday event in Gartan addressed by An Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, church leaders as well as Gartan National School who premiered animations created through the Schools Digital Folklore Project.
December 2021 | Foras na Gaeilge/Donegal County Council
COINNEAL CHOLMCILLE
A short film commissioned by Foras na Gaeilge of illuminations projected at sites in Ireland and Scotland for Colmcille’s birthday, with music by Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin. Captures locations in (Ireland) Gartan, Gleann Cholm Cille, Derry, Magilligan, Drumcliff, Kells, Dublin and (Scotland) Iona and Oban.
December 2021 | Diocese of Raphoe
ST. COLMCILLE PRAYER SERVICE
A prayer service from St Colmcille’s Chapel, Glendowan near the Saint’s birthplace, to mark his 1500th birthday, with Bishop Alan McGuckian.
December 2021 | Church of Ireland
A CHORAL EVENSONG SERVICE TO CELEBRATE 1,500TH ANNIVERSARY
Cathedral Choral Evensong with Primate of All Ireland, the Most Reverend John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh at St Eunan’s Cathedral in Raphoe. With St Columb’s Cathedral (Derry/Londonderry) choir and organist Dr Derek Collins.
December 2021 | The Churches Trust
COLUMBA SCHOOLS PROJECT – THE LIFE OF ST COLUMBA 2022
A pageant by pupils from Fountain, Longtower and Nazareth House Primary Schools in Derry, held at Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company, to mark Colmcille’s birthday.
March 2022 | Donegal County Council
CONALLACH CRÁIFEACH CRÓGA
Launched as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2022, this short film takes us on a journey through Donegal to share the places and stories associated with the Saint (Irish with English subtitles).
March 2022 | Vincent Kennedy and Donegal Youth Orchestra
COLMCILLE, DOVE OF PEACE
World premiere of this new suite of music by composer Vincent Kennedy, commissioned by Donegal County Council and Donegal Music Education Partnership. Performed by Donegal Youth Orchestra, Donegal Youth Choir and guests.
April 2022 | Regional Cultural Centre/Glebe House and Gallery
‘THIS OPEN SPACE’ A RE:WORK ELECTRONIC MUSIC COMMISSION
A new composition by Irish electronica artist Ryan Vail to re-imagine Benjamin Britten’s ‘A Hymn for St. Columba’. Originally commissioned in 1962 to commemorate the 1400th anniversary of Colmcille’s voyage to Scotland, this reinterpretation is a contemporary mix of electronic and traditional instrumentation, accompanied by beautiful drone footage.
April 2022 | Foras na Gaeilge
COLM CILLE & NA FILÍ (COLMCILLE & THE POETS)
Launch of a poetry video on Poetry Day Ireland 2022 of a specially-commissioned poem as part of Colmcille 1500 by Daire Ní Chanáin. It imagines what would have happened if Colmcille had not stood up for the poets in Droim Ceat in 575.
June 2022 | Derry City and Strabane District Council
AN TURAS, THE JOURNEY – A CELEBRATION OF COLMCILLE
A short montage of clips from the pageant organised by the North West Carnival Initiative and partners in Derry, which took place on St Colmcille Feast Day on 9th June 2022 to bring 1500th celebrations to a close.
Mar 2021 | Royal Irish Academy
AN CATHACH
An online exhibition of the history and stories associated with the 6th century Columban manuscript ‘An Cathach’ and interactive map of places associated with it.
May 2021 | Sligo Colmcille 1500/ Blue Raincoat Theatre
THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS – THE STORY OF ST COLMCILLE AND SLIGO
A short film telling the legend of Colmcille’s copying of a psalter belonging to St. Finnian, and the battle at Cúl Dreimhne (Cooldrumman), County Sligo in 560AD that followed.
June 2021 | Sligo County Library
COLMCILLE, THE CATHACH AND CÚL DREIMNE
An online lecture by Dr Brian Lacey comparing ‘history’ with legend of the Cathach and the Battle of Cúl Dreimne in County Sligo.
June 2021 | Glór Dhún Geimhin supported by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Museum Services
STRINGS OF HEAVEN HARP & VOCAL COMPOSITION & VIDEO
Strings of Heaven, composed by harper Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh, to celebrate Colmcille 1500, with vocal soloist Aoife Nig Uiginn of Scoil Ruaidhrí Dall and local harp schools.
June 2021 | Offaly Historical & Archaeological Society
ST COLUMBA – FOUNDER OF DURROW: WHAT DO WE REALLY KNOW ABOUT HIM?
A Feast Day lecture by Dr Brian Lacey on what we really know about Columba, founder of the monastery in Durrow, County Offaly.
June 2021 | Colmcille 1500 Kells
“ST. COLMCILLE’S WELL KELLS : A CELEBRATION IN MUSIC AND SPOKEN WORD”
A musical interlude on the eve of St.Colmcille’s Feast Day,to remember Colmcille at the site where his monks drew fresh water for the Kells monastery.
June 2021 | Historic Environment Scotland
CELEBRATING COLUMBA
A poetry project to celebrate Columba as the ‘Patron Saint of Poetry ‘- mapping his time in Scotland, the places that he touched, alongside the poetry they have inspired.
June 2021 | Wild Goose Publications (publishing house of the Iona Community)
THE ORATORY OF LIGHT: POEMS IN THE SPIRIT OF ST COLUMBA
A short ‘poetry video’ for the book of poems by James Harpur with illustrations by Paul Ó Colmáin. James mingles poetic imagination with the spirit of Columba and the landscape of Iona. The second poem ‘Columba’s Exile’ includes the Saint’s reflections on leaving behind Donegal and Derry.
June 2021 | Loyola Institute, Trinity College Dublin / Trinity Long Room Hub
‘COLUMCILLE IN CONTEXT: THEOLOGIANS AND HISTORIANS IN CONVERSATION’ LECTURE 1 (9 JUNE 2021)
Lecture 1 – The Interaction of History and Memory in Creating the Festival of Columba with Professor Emeritus of Historical Theology, Thomas O’Loughlin, University of Nottingham.
June 2021 | Loyola Institute, Trinity College Dublin / Trinity Long Room Hub
‘COLUMCILLE IN CONTEXT: THEOLOGIANS AND HISTORIANS IN CONVERSATION’ LECTURE 1 (29 JUNE 2021)
Lecture 2 – Peregrinatio in the Careers of Columcille and his Monastic Family with Honorary Professor Jonathan Wooding, Medieval and Early Modern Centre, University of Sydney.
June 2021 | SonLight Band
LORD OF MY LIFE
A composition by the ‘SonLight’ band in Cookstown, County Tyrone based on the words of a prayer by Saint Colmcille.
August 2021 | Janet Harbison Irish Harp Fingal Arts Office
SORD CHOLMCILLE: A SUITE FOR IRISH HARP, SOPRANO AND RECITEUR
A new composition for Irish harp, soprano and reciteur to mark the 1500th anniversary, performed at Swords Castle, supported by Fingal Arts Office funding.
September 2021 | Colmcille 1500 Kells/ Co Club
CULTURE NIGHT – GAMBOL (DANCE)
Two videos produced by the Co Club as a contemporary artistic response (dance and poetry) to the life and legacy of Colm Cille, funded by Meath Arts Office and premièred on Culture Night 2021.
September 2021 | Colmcille 1500 Kells/ Co Club
CULTURE NIGHT – THE WHITE HORSE (POETRY)
Two videos produced by the Co Club as a contemporary artistic response (dance and poetry) to the life and legacy of Colm Cille, funded by Meath Arts Office and premièred on Culture Night 2021.
October 2021 | Loyola Institute. Trinity College Dublin/Trinity Long Room Hub
THEOLOGIANS AND HISTORIANS IN CONVERSATION (LECTURE 5)
Lecture 5 – ‘St Columba and the Existential Categories of Displacement and Identity’ by theologian the Very Rev Dr Billy Swan.
October 2021 | National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
THE HAND-BELLS, BOOKS AND CROSIERS ASSOCIATED WITH ST. COLUMBA (LECTURE 1)
NMI Autumn Online Lecture Series 2021 (1) The Bells of the Irish Saints by Cormac Bourke.
November 2021 | Loyola Institute. Trinity College Dublin/Trinity Long Room Hub
THEOLOGIANS AND HISTORIANS IN CONVERSATION (LECTURE 6)
Lecture 6 – ‘Freemen outwith the Tribe: Exiles for Christ from Saints Patrick to Kilian’ by Dr Alexander O’Hara, Department of Celtic Languages & Literatures, Harvard University in association with the Trinity Long Room Hub.
November 2021 | National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
THE HAND-BELLS, BOOKS AND CROSIERS ASSOCIATED WITH ST. COLUMBA (LECTURE 2)
NMI Autumn Online Lecture Series 2021 (2) The many phases of the shrine of the Cathach by Dr Paul Mullarkey.
December 2021 | National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
THE HAND-BELLS, BOOKS AND CROSIERS ASSOCIATED WITH ST. COLUMBA (LECTURE 3)
NMI Autumn Online Lecture Series 2021 (3) St Columba’s crosier: power and devotion in medieval Ireland by Dr Griffin Murray UCC.
December 2021 | Janet Harbison Harps
COLMCILLE – A COLUMBAN SUITE
A performance of the Colmcille Suite by Janet Harbison with multiple harps and voices – celebrating the 1500th anniversary of Saint Colmcille – inspired with his life story, his own poetry, favourite psalms and art.