The year will see cross border groups across the religious, civic, educational, arts and heritage and tourism and leisure sectors collaborate to build on the rich heritage of Colmcille and those who followed him.
Colmcille's 1500th commemorative year promises a varied and vibrant programme of events and projects. Nerve Centre projects include a major cross-border exhibition on the life of Colmcille with Donegal County Museum and Tower Museum and an educational Colmcille Digital Schools’ Folklore Project for schools in partnership with Donegal County Library and Libraries NI. The projects will build on previous work by the Nerve Centre in this area, including the Virtual Museum of Colmcille.
Colmcille was a significant figure in the early Irish church and is credited with the spread of Christianity throughout Scotland and further afield. He is thought to have founded many monasteries, the most significant of these being the monastery at Iona. In Ireland, Colmcille is one of Ireland’s three patron saints, along with Saint Patrick and Saint Bridget and is widely celebrated, especially in Donegal and Derry.
All projects in the programme were developed based on extensive consultation undertaken for the Audit of Columban Cultural Heritage commissioned by Donegal County Council, Derry City & Strabane District Council, Foras na Gaeilge and The Heritage Council as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan.
The overall project is being supported by the North West Development Fund, in conjunction with and supported by The Executive Office and The Irish Government.