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| Iona Monastery Photograph from Flickr |
Archaeologists have uncovered
conclusive evidence that a wooden hut traditionally associated with St Columba
at his ancient monastery on the island of Iona dates to his lifetime in the
late sixth century. Samples of hazel
charcoal unearthed during an excavation of a wattle and timber structure on
Iona 60 years ago have been radiocarbon dated to the period Columba lived in
the Iona monastery. The structure is believed to be the monk's "cell"
where he prayed and studied in isolation. The results show the hut dated back
to between 540 and 650 and Columba died in 597.
In the Life of St Columba,
written 100 years after his death by his successor Adomnán, he was described as often writing in his cell on a rocky
hillock, called Torr an Aba or "the mound of the abbot". It is
believed that the Cathach, a manuscript of psalms reputed to be Columba's own
writing, would have been created in his cell.
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| St Columba at Bridei's Fort Painting by Joseph Ratcliffe Skelton (1868-1927) |
Much of what we know about St. Columba is due to Adomnán,
the ninth Abbot of Iona, and his book, the Vita Colum Cille (Life
of Columba). Saint Columba (521 - 597) was an Irish abbot and
missionary who is credited with spreading Christianity in what is today Scotland.
He founded the important abbey on the island of Iona.
As soon as he was old enough,
Columba was taken from the care of his priest-guardian at Tulach-Dugblaise, or
Temple Douglas, to St. Finnian's (c 495-c 589) training school at Moville. Later,
he attended the famous monastic school of Clonard, headed by another Finnian (470-549),
who in later times was known as the "tutor of Erin's saints".
Columba loved books, and spared
no effort to obtain or make copies of Psalters, Bibles, and other valuable
manuscripts for his monks. His former master, Finnian, had brought back from
Rome the first copy of St. Jerome's Psalter to reach Ireland. Finnian guarded
this precious volume jealously, but Columba got permission to look at it, and
secretly made a copy for his own use.
When Finnian was told of this, he
laid claim to the copy. Columba refused to give it up, and the question of
ownership was put before King Diarmaid, Overlord of Ireland. His decision in
this early "copyright" case went against Columba. "To every cow
her calf," reasoned the King, "and to every book its son-book.
Therefore, the copy you made, O Colum Cille, belongs to Finnian."
Columba had another grievance
against the King. Prince Curnan of Connaught, who had fatally injured a rival
in a hurling match and had taken refuge with Columba, was dragged from his
protector's arms, and slain by Diarmaid's men. It is said that the war which
soon broke out between Columba's clan and the clans loyal to Diarmaid was
instigated by Columba. At the Battle of Cul Dreimhne his cause was victorious,
but Columba was accused of being morally responsible for driving three thousand
unprepared souls into eternity.
Columba's own conscience was
troubled, and on the advice of an aged hermit, Molaise, he resolved to atone
for his offense by exiling himself and trying to win for Christ in another land
as many souls as had perished in the terrible Battle of
Cul Dreimhne, near modern day Drumcliff, Co Sligo.
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| Torr an Abba Site of St Columba's Cell |
His monastery on Iona became
world famous. Together with SS Canice and Comgall, he spread the gospel to the
Picts. Iona’s fame as a missionary centre and outstanding place of learning
ultimately spread throughout Europe, turning it into a place of pilgrimage for
several centuries to come.
Adomnán lists Saint Columba's
prophetic revelations, which are attributed to the saint's ability to view the
present and the future at the same time. Most of the chapters begin with Saint
Columba telling his fellow monks that a person will soon arrive on the island
or an event will occur. Columba is said to have displayed some strange
behaviours, including banishing women and cows from the island, claiming that
“where there is a cow there is a woman, and where there is a woman there is
mischief”.
It is said that Columba was
prevented from completing the building of the original chapel until a living
person had been buried in the foundations. His friend Oran volunteered for the
job and was duly buried. Columba later requested that Oran’s face to be
uncovered so he could bid a final farewell to his friend. Oran’s face was
uncovered and he was found to be still alive but uttering such blasphemous
descriptions of Heaven and Hell that Columba ordered that he be covered up
immediately!
Another story relates how on one
of his journeys, St Columba come across several Picts who were burying the body
of a man who had been killed by an aquatic monster which lived in the River
Nesa. This story has been interpreted as the first written reference to the
Loch Ness Monster. It goes on to say that Columba then saved another man from
the monster by ordering the beast to retreat, which it did.
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| Book of Kells c 800 |
Columba died on Iona in 597, but
his monastery’s influence continued to grow, leading to the foundation of
new monasteries in Ireland and as far away as Lindisfarne in Northumbria. His
feast day is on 9th June.
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