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Description: St. Colmcille, born nearly a
half century after St. Patrick, performed many feats of outstanding importance
to the history of the Church. Born in the small village of Gartan in 521 AD, he
was descended from royal blood, and by social standards, ranked as high as the
king of Ireland. His nobility would prove an important tool later in his life
for laying the foundations of his churches.
As a boy, Colmcille was sent to live with
the priest who'd baptized him. Later, he moved to live and study with the
Christian poet Gemman, and it was at this time that the young man's love of
discipline, poetry, and knowledge came to life. King Diarmiad came into power a
few years later. He was an enemy to Colmcille's father and thus to him. Soon,
Colmcille's cousin offered him a site of a royal fort on the banks of the Foyle
River, and in 546, the first Columban monastery (Doire Cholmkille, the oak
grove of Colmcille) was founded.
The Heritage Centre, overlooking Garten
Lake (three huge stones rising from it are
called Colmcille's footsteps) depicts the life of early Celts, Patrick,
and Colmcille through a series of illustrated graphic posters. Details of the
history and life of Colmcille are highlighted in well written audio visual
presentation, and throughout the Centre are replicas of artefacts uncovered
near sites where Colmcille lived and worked, the most striking a 12 feet high
Celtic Cross that dominates the first floor display room.
Colmcille, in his day, caused much
controversy (and even a bloody war) because he copied, without permission, a
Book of Psalms. Copying the illuminated manuscript entailed hours of tedious
labour in the freezing temperatures with little light. These manuscripts proved
especially difficult because of the richly colourful intricate designs. But
Colmcille was so taken with the book that he labored for well over a year in
the most extreme conditions to make his own copy.
On display in the back room are several
white oyster shells, each with a different coloured powder and each with a
description of where and how colours for use in illuminated manuscripts were
obtained.
Colmcille was eventually convicted of the
first copyright infringement with this ruling: "To each cow its calf, to each
book its owner." The ruling, in effect, exiled Columcille to Scotland where he
lived, thrived, and created many monasteries.
The last display of the Centre is a
wax-figure likeness of Colmcille as he might have looked. He has a Celtic
tonsure (specific way of shaving head), wears a linen sheath, a woollen cloak,
and leather shoes, all representative wear of the time.
Colmcille's story is told through a series
of banners, stained glass panels, illustrations, and displayed artefacts. A
visit will prove interesting, informative, and definitely worth the scenic
drive around Gartan Lake.
Hours: May - September, Mon-Sat, 10:30 -6,
Sun 1-6 (arrangements for groups can be made outside these times).
Admission: €3 adults, €2 students
How to get there:
From Dublin: N2/A5 thru Omagh to Lifford.
From Lifford, N14/N13 to Letterkenney, then R250W to jct R251towards Churchill
and follow signs to Colmcille Heritage Centre.
From Belfast: A6 to Derry, N13 to
Letterkenney, R250W towards Churchill and follow signs to Colmcille Heritage
Centre.
Address:
St. Colmcille Heritage Centre
Gartan, Churchhill, Co. Donegal
T: 074 913 7021
Written by Joy Davis - Summer of Travel 2007
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