Columba
(also known as Columcille, Columkill, Colum and Columbus)

The son of Fedhlimidh and Eithne, Columba was born on December 7 521 at Donegal, Ireland. Directly descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages, he was himself in close succession to the throne. He was destined for the priesthood from an early age and studied at Molville under St Finnian and later at Clonard. He surrendered his princely claims and became a monk at Glasnevin.

Columba was a conscientious worker who preached and taught throughout his native country combining study with prayer and manual labour. By the time he was 25, he had founded 27 monasteries including those at Derry, Kells and Durrow as well as some 40 churches.

An enthusiastic scholar, he learned poetry and history from a bard named Gemman, and is believed to have penned the Latin poem Altus Prosator. He was a lover of birds and animals.

A compassionate and loyal man, Columba constantly asked God for grace and wisdom. He refused luxuries for himself and insisted on sharing the work of his friends.

Despite the fact that he loved his homeland so dearly, Columba experienced a profound conversion and irresistible call to journey forward and preach to the heathen. On Whitsun Eve in 563, at the age of 42, he crossed the Irish Sea with twelve companions in a small coracle landing on a cold deserted island named Hy, known today as Iona (or Dove or Holy Island).

Iona became the centre of Christian enterprise - the heart of Celtic Christianity - as Columba set about converting the Picts, Scots and Northern English.

Columba built a monastery consisting of huts with roofs of branches set upon wooden props. In this primitive settlement, legend tells us that Columba slept on the hard ground with just a stone for a pillow for over 30 years. But the work spread and before long the island was too small to contain it. Columba himself penetrated the wildest glens of Scotland establishing the Caledonian Church, even converting the revered King Brude and his people.

Before his death on July 9, 597, Northern Scotland had become almost entirely Christianised. Columba is said to be buried at Downpatrick in Ireland.

He is recognised today as the patron saint of poets, bookbinders and floods.