Saint columba biography

St Columba lived from 7 December to 9 June The name he is known by today is the Latin version of his given name Colum, though he came to be known as Colum-cille, or "dove of the church" by most people in his own day.

The wider picture in Scotland at the time is set out in our Historical Timeline.

Columba was born at Garten, County Donegal, Ireland. He was a member of the Clan O'Donnell, and was of royal descent. His father was Fedhlimdh and his mother Eithne.

St columba prophecy

On his father's side he was great-great-grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages, an Irish king of the fifth century. Much of what we know about him comes from a Life of Columba written by his successor Abbot Adomnán of Iona who lived a century later.

Columba was educated at the monastic school of Moville under St Finnian, who had himself studied at St Ninian's "Magnum Monasterium" on the shores of Galloway.

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