Latest news with #Colmcille
Irish Independent
08-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Call for a public holiday to honour St. Colmcille in Meath
Also known as St. Columba, St. Colmcille is regarded as Ireland's third patron saint, alongside St. Patrick and St. Brigid. The proposal put forward by Councilor Sean Drew at the July meeting of Meath County Council initially suggested that a public holiday would not only commemorate Colmcille's legacy but also recognise his connection to Meath. The Fianna Fáil councillor said: 'We have three national saints in Ireland and only two of them are recognised. St. Colmcille was a Christian and he had a strong connection to the county.' The name Colmcille translates from Irish as 'Dove of the Church.' Many historical sites across the northwest and east of Ireland are associated with him, including Gleann Cholm Cille, Toraigh, Kells, and Swords. Cllr Drew, who represents the Kells district added: 'We are below the EU average of public holidays. My principle behind this is to get a public holiday in honour of Colmcille.' Ireland had nine bank holidays until St Brigid's Day was introduced in 2023. Independent Councillor Noel French spoke in support of the motion, noting that St. Colmcille's influence extends far beyond Ireland. Born in Gartan, County Donegal in 521 AD, Colmcille was a key figure in spreading Christianity across Ireland and Scotland. He is also recognised as the patron saint of Derry, which in Irish is Doire Cholmcille, meaning 'oakwood of Colmcille.' Meanwhile Councillor Peter Caffrey suggested adding the celebration of St Colmcille to St Patrick's day. The mayor of Navan, Padraig Fitzsimons said a new bank holiday would not be 'fair' to businesses. He said: 'It will be a huge cost to business at a time where a lot of businesses are struggling. I think it is going to be unfair on them.' ADVERTISEMENT Councillor Gerry O'Connor proposed renaming the June bank holiday in Colmcille's honour. In response, Cllr. Drew indicated flexibility with the proposal, saying: 'My main purpose was to get a day named after him.' The amended motion was unanimously agreed upon by the councillors present at the meeting. St. Colmcille died on 9 June, 597, in Iona, an island off the coast of Scotland where he established a monastic community. Today, many schools, churches, and GAA clubs across Ireland are named after him
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Inside history of St Colmcille who's ‘intrinsically linked' to Irish identity amid calls for bank holiday in his honour
IRELAND could be getting a new bank holiday in honour of another one of the country's patron saints. The Advertisement 2 A new July bank holiday has been proposed Credit: Alamy 2 St Colmcille is the third patron saint of Ireland Following the addition of However, this is still fewer than the Now a campaign to have a public day off named after St Colmcille is growing. Advertisement READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS And the campaign is heating up, with The Kells Colmcille 1500 committee and Kells Local Heroes are supporting the proposals given St Colmcille's links with the Meath town and the Book of Kells. Local councillor Sean Drew intends to submit a motion in support of a new public holiday for the next sitting of Meath County The Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Cllr Drew also suggested renaming the existing June But as exhausted No rain forecast as Met Eireann pinpoint exactly where warmest temps to hit over the bank holiday weekend SAINT Colmcille, or Saint Columba, established more than 50 Christian sites across Ireland. St Colmcille, meaning 'the dove of the Church', was born at Gartan, near Lifford, Co Donegal, in 521AD. Advertisement HOLY MAN, POET & DIPLOMAT Born into Irish aristocracy, St Colmcille is said to have been a descendant of legendary Niall of the Nine Hostages. Niall was a fifth century Irish warlord reputed to have fought against the Romans and armies of ancient Scotland, Historians say Colmcille founded his first monastery in what is now the modern day city of Derry or Doire Cholm Cille, in the year 545. 1500 years after his birth historians speak of his legacy as a holy man, a poet and a diplomat. Advertisement It is said that he protected those who were deprived of ears, eyes and throat. PRAYER OFFERING The well of St Colmcille on the Ballycullen Road in south It is believed that Colmcille stopped off here on one of his journeys around Ireland to quench his thirst and bless the well. The holy well has a statue of Colmcille set into stone and visitors to the well drink from the water pray and leave medals nailed into the bark of a tree as offerings. Advertisement Rags left by previous pilgrims visiting the well are to provide cures for eyes, ears and throats. Across Ireland, there are many sites associated with St Colmcille. PATRON SAINT The sites in the north west and in the eastern region associated with St Colmcille included Gleann Cholm Cille, Toraigh, Kells and Swords. The influential Irish monk is known the patron saint of Advertisement Historians point out he was a significant historical figure in the spreading of Christianity in One of his most important monasteries was in Iona, off the coast of Much history was written and recorded in his monasteries. One of Ireland's most famous books, the Book of Kells, is believed to have been crafted by monks in the Columban monastery on Iona. ENDURING LEGACY Colmcille died in Iona on 9 June, 597 AD aged 75. Advertisement But his legacy, as well as devotion to the saint, has endured to modern times. Many Ireland currently has ten public holidays per year, with St Brigid's Day the most recent addition to the list in 2023. Miriam Manning is of the Kells Colmcille 1500 committee which was established to mark the 1500th anniversary of the birth of St Colmcille from 2020 to 2021. Advertisement WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION Miriam said: 'The Kells association with Columban heritage and the Book of Kells has shaped our identity through the centuries and it would be fitting if he is honoured by the Government. 'A dedicated public holiday recognising St Colmcille, who is also known as St Columba presents an opportunity for Kells to develop a national and international profile for the town and to develop further the networks and collaborations created during the anniversary year keeping the story of St Colmcille alive. 'The iconography perfected in the Book of Kells is recognisable worldwide and in this way it is important to note that Colmcille's legacy is intrinsically linked to our national identity.' The connection between St Colmcille and Kells reaches back to the sixth century when Manus O'Donnell's 'Life of Colmcille' says the Saint was granted the dun of Kells by High King of Tara Diarmaid MacCarroll. Advertisement After Colmcille's death in Iona in Scotland, his followers who included scribes, stonecutters, goldsmiths and masons, returned to Kells in 804 bringing with them the precious relics of the saint. ENORMOUS CONTRIBUTION Miriam explained: 'From the teachings of Colmcille, Columban monks and scribes became some of the greatest scribes and painters of books in the world and it is believed the Book of Kells owes its identity and status to having been completed by a particular scribe in the town.' Also backing Donegal's call for a public holiday, Mark Smith of Kells Local Heroes said it would raise the profile of the town and attract scholars and academics who might not visit otherwise. He said: 'St Colmcille's house, the round tower and the Celtic crosses in the town have proven to be huge attractions for students and experts in the study of the Book of Kells and the enormous contribution that local monks made in spreading Christianity across Europe.' Advertisement He said: 'St Colmcille has important historical connections not only with Kells but with many other locations in the county and I think it would be apt and fitting to have a special day in his honour.' One thing is for sure. Meath and Donegal are united in believing honouring St Colmcille with a public holiday of his own is a divine idea.
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
DJ Sean M: Meet Ireland's youngest ever festival DJ
DJ Sean M (Seán Meenaghan) is only 11 years old, but he's already spinning the decks at major Irish music festivals. In May, he made his festival debut at Greenfields, and this summer he'll be playing bangers at Beyond the Pale (Saturday and Sunday) and at the Kaleidoscope Festival (Friday evening set). A 5th class student at Colmcille's Senior School in Knocklyon, Seán's journey began before he could even spell turntable - climbing up to reach his dad's decks when he was still a toddler! Florence from RTÉ's news2day went to Seán's school and partied hard! Press play up top to see the report. Seán says: "When I was very young about 3 years old my father would bring in a step so that I was able to reach his decks. Since then I have practiced nearly every day I can remember. I got my very own set of Pioneer decks last Christmas and I'm very proud of them. "My family have gone to Ibiza every summer since I was born. I just love the dance scene over there, my favourite part is going to Cafe Mambo where I have seen Fatboy Slim, Claptone and many more. "It was just the most amazing experience at my school, I got to share my talent with all my school friends - most of them have never seen me play my decks before. It was great to see them all have so much fun and enjoy the music in the sunshine." Now armed with his own Pioneer setup and backed by the powerhouse platform NOISE Music, DJ Sean M has a growing list of gigs under his belt and a serious passion for the decks. DJ Sean M's Top 5 Dance Tunes Solarstone - Seven Cities The Prophet- CJ Bolland Wide Open Space - Mansun (Perfecto Mix) Silence - Delerium Heaven Sent - Bedrock His sound is rooted in House, Progressive House, and Trance, inspired by annual trips to the electronic music mecca of Ibiza. With energy, talent, and a deep love for dance music, DJ Sean M is proving that age is just a number when it comes to lighting up the dancefloor. Follow Seán on the festival circuit on Instagram (Managed by his mam Susan!) and make sure to head over to see him wherever he is playing.
