In a land feted for its saints and scholars, this year the city will commemorate fifteen hundred years since the birth of Colmcille (Saint Columba), broadly recognised as one of the most important evangelists in the early European Christian church and also a key personality in the scholastic heritage of Ireland and Scotland.

    Colm Cille: The heritage of archaeology and folklore Brian Lacey—Colm Cille: An Oidhreacht Seandálaíochta Ailbhe Nic Giolla Chomhaill—Colm Cille i dtraidisiún béil na Gaeltachta ó thus an 20ú haois i leith Lectures in Irish Register here

Whether he was spreading gospel amongst the Picts, or debating theology with the wider Christian community, Columba undeniably had a profound impact on 6th-century Scottish religion. In this workshop, poet in residence for Historic Environment Scotland Alex Aldred invites you to engage in hagiographic writing - the chronicling of a holy man's life.

Ecumenical service Church of Ireland,  Gleann Cholm Cille

Raphoe Colmcille 1500 presents ‘Colmcille: A Lasting Legacy’, a virtual series on the life and legacy of Colmcille/ Columba. The series will be streamed in three parts via YouTube on the 6, 7, 8 June 2021 at 8pm. Contributors include: Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ Rev. David Houlton (Rector of Gartan) Local historians Christy Gillespie and Seosamh […]

On the eve of St.Colmcille’s Feast Day, join us for a musical interlude as we remember Colmcille at the very site where his monks drew fresh water for the Kells monastery. This holy well was a source of life, a location for baptisms and a pilgrimage site for hundreds of years. On June 8th, in […]

Join Glaikit Carnyx for an exploration of the legacy of Saint Columba, exploring the stories, songs and traditions that surround him. Glaikit Carnyx are a Scottish cultural outreach team offering a variety of events and workshops on Scottish history, languages, literature and folklore. Colmcille 1500 celebrates the life and legacy of StColumba, 1500 years from […]

Muireann Kelly is Artistic Director of Theater Gu Leòr and has lived in Glasgow for many years, but is from Westport, County Mayo, Ireland. A distinctive feature of Theater Gu Leòr is the inclusion of the Celtic languages of Ireland and Wales, as well as Gaelic. Theater Gu Leòr is a Glasgow-based theater company that […]

Columcille in Context: Theologians and Historians in Conversation to Commemorate the 15th Centenary of the Birth of Saint Columba of Iona Professor Thomas O’Loughlin Professor Emeritus of Historical Theology, University of Nottingham Colomb cille caindlech: The Interaction of History and Memory in Creating the Festival of Columba The feast-day, dies natalis, of any saint is […]

Colmcille1500 Kells brings Columban monuments to new life by the innovation of projected imagery commissioned especially for this anniversary year. This collection of contemporary illuminations narrates 6 stories of Colmcille and his followers in vibrant colour. The collection highlights multiple historic and contemporary sites creating a vibrant world of colour, evoking the Book of Kells. […]

Talk in Irish by Prof Liam Lillis Ó Laoire on sacred song & Singing by Diane Ní Chanainn, Niamh Ní Dhubhgáin and Conall Ó Gallachóir at tSean-Beairic  

A scholar and preacher, Columba made his voice heard - or spoke up on behalf of others - in everything from minor disputes in local communities to grand conventions of kings. In this workshop, Historic Environment Scotland’s poet in residence Alex Aldred will engage with depictions of St. Columba as messenger, both of his people […]