There is much to learn from Colmcille and the legacy of his communities, and there are also materials to draw on:
Learning materials and competition from Donegal:
Maureen Curran of Loretto Community School, Milford, Donegal, has developed cross-curricular educational materials. It is linked to sites associated with Colmcille or Columba, and provides a model which can be adapted for use in many places. A competition based on the materials is being organised by Maureen with the Diocese of Raphoe, in conjunction with Claire Murray at the Church of Ireland National School in Gartan, birthplace of St Columba. The deadline for submissions has now been extended to the 15th October 2021.
The primary material can be downloaded here. and post-primary here.
Range of resources on padlet
Maureen and Claire have been part of a working group along with Gabrielle Fitzsimons and Gráinne Duggan who teaches at Rathdonnell National School near Gartan. Gráinne has compiled a range of other educational and heritage resources from a range of institutions and organisations which can be accessed online here.
Donegal County Council has developed a range of materials for other commemorative events, including the Flight of the Earls and 1916. The Council is preparing an educational pack and colouring book which will be available in the spring 2021.
In Northern Ireland CCEA has a range of materials in Irish and English:
It includes striking material on the book of Kells available here and here. An overview of the CCEA materials can be seen here and here. : https://stcolumbaheritage.com/index.php/home
Scripture Union NI has produced material entitled “The Way of the Peacemaker” for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in NI which explore “the life of Colmcille and the Biblical principles of peace.” It consists of videoas available here , and worksheets which are available from Rachel Millar.
Áras Cholmcille in Derry has learning materials available here .
