Latest news with #StColmcille
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.
Irish Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Campaign grows for Ireland to get another public holiday, honouring St Colmcille
Ireland could get another public holiday if proposals to have our third patron saint granted a day in his memory go through. Following the addition of St Brigid's Day in 2023, we now enjoy 10 public holidays. Our third national saint after St Patrick and St Brigid is St Colmcille – and a campaign to have a public holiday named after him is growing. Donegal County Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh proposed a motion for the local authority to ask the Government to establish a new public holiday in honour of St Colmcille, who is also known as St Columba. On the saint's feast day yesterday, he said: "Ireland is two days behind the European average of 12 public. "St Colmcille is Ireland's third patron saint but isn't recognised with a public holiday. We're looking to even that up." St Colmcille was born near Lifford, in Donegal in 521AD and established over 50 Christian sites throughout Ireland. Despite the addition of St Brigid's Day, the Irish tally remains lower than the EU average of 12. For example, France has 12 this year, while Spain and Portugal both have 13. Public holidays, which are sometimes called a bank holiday, commemorate a special day or other event. Most businesses and schools close, while services like public transport operate with reduced schedules. In Ireland, the 10 days are New Year's Day, St Brigid's Day, St Patrick's Day, Easter Monday, May Day, the June Bank Holiday, the August Bank Holiday, the October Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and St Stephen's Day. Good Friday is not a public holiday, but it is a bank holiday, meaning some businesses do close, although workers are not legally entitled to a day off. There have been several proposals for extra public holidays in Ireland, with a Government taskforce for the Tourism Recovery Plan 2020-23 having considered an off-peak public holiday date. It said this would "create additional domestic high spending short break demand and would extend the tourism season." In 2021 Senator Fiona O'Loughlin called for one to coincide with the Late Late Toy Show. The then-Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said at the time that there were discussions about having a public holiday in February, March or November. Last year, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) called for two more public holidays in Ireland and said: "The minimum number of public holidays should be the EU average of 12." In January, People Before Profit proposed two extra holidays for the last Mondays of September and November. A spokesman said: "Workers in Ireland are still lagging behind their European counterparts. "Ireland has 10 public holidays. In contrast, Germany and Sweden have 13 paid public holidays, Italy has 14 and Austria has 15." Dublin City University's Dr Brenda Daly, who is an Associate Professor of Law, last month called for more public holidays. She said: "I certainly would advocate that there is a benefit to it." A Department of Enterprise spokesperson said. "Any proposal for the provision of another public holiday would require very careful consideration, including on the additional costs this would impose on employers." The idea of a day off in Ireland was introduced in 1871, when the country was still under British rule. After independence, the Bank Holidays Act was replaced by the Public Holidays Act 1924. The Government has the authority under Article 28 of the 1922 Constitution to proclaim a new holiday. In a letter to the Government, Mr Kavanagh wrote: "The June Bank Holiday could be renamed in honour of St Colmcille, but that wouldn't solve Ireland having less public holidays than the rest of Europe. "We could go for a new public holiday on the first Monday in July. We don't have a public holiday in July. "St Colmcille's story is a great story. "I think it would be an excellent bank holiday. "We hope the Government will look at the proposal."
RTÉ News
09-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Calls for new public holiday in honour of St Colmcille
Donegal County Council is set to ask the Government to establish a new public holiday in honour of Saint Colmcille - also known as St Columba - the only Irish patron saint without a public holiday. Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh, whose motion calling for the public holiday was accepted at the council's latest meeting told RTÉ News there are two elements to the proposal. "Ireland is two days behind the European average of 12 public holidays per year. "St Colmcille is Ireland's third patron saint along with St Patrick and St Brigid, but he isn't recognised with a public holiday. We're looking to even that up," he said. Today marks St Colmcille feast day. Cllr Kavanagh has suggested two options as there is already a bank holiday in June. "The June Bank Holiday could be renamed in honour of St Colmcille (Columba), but that wouldn't solve the problem of Ireland having less public holidays than the rest of Europe. "Alternatively, we could go for a new public holiday on the first Monday in July. We don't have a public holiday in July in the Republic of Ireland," he said. Cllr Kavanagh added: "St Colmcille's story is a great story. I think it would be an excellent bank holiday. We're hoping the Government will look at the proposal in a positive way." He also said there would be all-Ireland, cross-border and international dimensions to any recognition, given St Colmcille's story. It is believed that St Colmcille was born in Gartán, Co Donegal in 521AD and established over 50 Christian sites throughout Ireland. In the English language, Colmcille translates as 'Dove of the Church'. He is regarded as one the three patrons saint of Ireland alongside St Patrick and St Brigid. There are many sites in the north west and in the eastern region associated with St Colmcille including Gleann Cholm Cille, Toraigh, Kells and Swords. The influential Irish monk is known the patron saint of Derry - as Gaeilge - Doire Cholmcille, meaning 'oakwood of Colmcille'. He was a significant historical figure in the spreading of Christianity in Britain. One of his most important monasteries was in Iona, off the coast of Scotland. Much history was written and recorded in his monasteries. One of Ireland's most famous books, the Book of Kells, written in Latin is believed to have been crafted by monks in the Columban monastery on Iona. Colmcille died in Iona on 9 June, 597. His legacy, as well as devotion to the saint, has endured to modern times. Many schools, churches and GAA clubs nationwide are named in his honour. Ireland has ten public holidays per year, and St Brigid's Day was the most recent addition to the list in 2023. The legislation which provides for public holidays is the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 (OWTA). The OWTA Act is under the policy remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the power to introduce an additional public holiday is provided for within this legislation.
Irish Independent
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Meath leave it late to see off Tribesmen
Meath's season at this level seemed to be at an end when Galway led 2-16 to 2-11 after 54 minutes. The Tribesmen then had an opportunity to put the game out of sight when Jeaic O Cualain rounded keeper Charlie Finnegan but saw his rocket of a shot rebound off the underside of the crossbar to safety a minute later. That was a fortunate let-off for the hosts who then made the most of their good fortune with a spirited revival in the closing minutes. That comeback was started by Charlie Gallagher with the big midfielder pointing on 56 minutes. The Dunboyne club man, son of former senior intercounty keeper David, then hit two wonderful two-pointers to draw the sides' level and match-winner Byrne spurned a chance before lofting over the decisive score. It was end to end stuff throughout with both sides' enjoying spell of dominance and nothing between the teams at half-time despite Meath pouncing for a brace of goals. The opening goal arrived from St Colmcille's Cillian Murphy after seven minutes following good approach play involving Tadhg Foley and Declan Byrne. That left Meath leading 1-2 to 0-2 but it was back level at 1-3 to 0-6 following a point from Oisin O Neachtain on 17 minutes. Meath struck for a second goal when wing back Foley set up Sean Smyth and the Skryne man produced a great finish from an acute angle to the corner of the net. That left the hosts five clear but with Barry Keating hitting his second two-pointer from a free and adding another one from play to take his tally to eight for the half Galway were back level 0-12 to 2-6 at the break. The Connacht outfit were ahead twice in the early stages of the second half before Charlie Gallagher's opening two-pointer left it 2-9 to 0-14 after 38 minutes. However, by the end of the third quarter Galway were back in front after Jeaic O Cualain and Keating combined to set up Ryan Connolly for a well taken goal. Sean Smyth who had an impressive outing had the sides' back level in the early stages of the final quarter. The visitors took control for a spell after that and seemed to be finishing the stronger of the two sides' with Ciaran O'Donnell and Cillian O'Toole both pointing and substitute Joey Cullinane adding a second Galway goal. Then came that miss from O Cualain which would have left the game beyond Meath's reach and that gave Meath the opportunity which they grabbed with both hands. ADVERTISEMENT Meath: Charlie Finnegan; Conal Sheridan, Conall O'Sullivan, Glen Callaghan; Tadhg Foley, Eoghan McBrearty, Niall Lawless; Declan Byrne, Charlie Gallagher 0-7 (3 2p); Will Byrne 0-2, Cillian Murphy 1-1, Sean Delaney 0-1; Adam McEvoy 0-1f, Sean Smyth 1-3 (1f), Stephen Cahill 0-2. Subs: Max Condon for Foley (h-t), Jesse O'Rourke for McEvoy (46), Charlie O'Connor for Sheridan (48), Robbie Johnson for Delaney (53), Bobby Gaffney for Byrne (56). Galway: Evan Burke; Eoin Gannon, Evan Cunningham, Conor Winston; Cathal Heavey 0-1, Jeremiah J Oifoh, Cillian O'Toole 0-1; Andrew Kehoe, Cian Hynes 0-1; Ciaran O'Donnell 0-2, Ryan Connolly 1-1, Oisin O Neachtain 0-1; Jeaic O Cualain, Dara Costello 0-1, Barry Keating 0-8 ( 1 2pf, 1 2p). Subs: Gavin Curran for Kehoe (36), Joey Cullinane 1-0 for O Neachtain (46), Cillian McPhillips for Costello (48), Adam Healy for Connolly (56).
