Guest post: Saint Columba biography

 Guest post by Mike Finn, an AOH historian:

The Irish island most associated with St. Colm Cille is Tory Island which lies nine miles off the north western coast of County Donegal. 

You will find Tory Island first mentioned in Irish Mythology. As the ancient tales relate, the island was the home of the Formorians, a race of giants (supposedly, a very rough bunch), who were ruled by King Balor of the Evil Eye. Balor had one eye in the middle of his forehead and the other one directly opposite in the back of his head. One glance from his evil eye meant certain death.

A prophesy dictated that Balor could only be killed by his own grandson. To prevent this prophesy from being fulfilled, Balor imprisoned his only daughter, Ethlinn, in a crystal tower on the eastern end of Tory Island so that no man could get to her.  Despite his efforts at shielding Ethlinn form the world, Cain mac Cainte of the Tuatha de Danann, managed to reach the island and enter the tower. Through their union Lugh Lamhfada (Lugh of the Long Arm) was born. Lugh escaped Balor’s attempt to murder him as an infant on Tory Island and became a member of the Tuatha de Danann. He would become the chief god of the Celts. In the second and final battle of Mag Tuireadh in County Roscommon, Lugh managed to smash out Balor's eye with a sling and Balor fell dead. This battle marked the end of the Formorians and ushered in the rule of the Tuatha de Danann.

Later in history we find the island being Christianized by St. Colm Cille. Local legend says that Colm Cille stood on a hill in County Donegal with his companions Saints Fionán, Dubthach and Begley. As they stood there they discussed who would have the task of converting the Tory islanders to Christianity.  They decided to resolve the question by throwing their crosiers. Whoever threw his crosier as far as the island would carry out the conversion.  Colmcille’s crosier landed on Tory Island, winning him the reward of converting the island. His crosier is said to have formed a crater on Tory’s northeast cliffs.  Colmcille founded a monastery on Tory in the 6th century.

Colm Cille is most famous for his tangle with copyright law.  During a visit to his old teacher, St. Finnian of Moville, Colm Cille was shown a manuscript that was the Psalter of St. Jerome (a Psalter is a volume containing the Book of Psalms). Colm Cille wanted a copy of the manuscript to share with his monasteries. So, each night Colm Cille carefully traced the pages of the manuscript onto fresh parchment. Soon Colm Cille had copied the entire volume.  Colm Cille claimed the copy as his. Finnian demanded the return of the original manuscript and the copy. Colm Cille believed he should keep the copy.  The matter was referred to Dermott, the High King for arbitration.  After reviewing the evidence Dermott issued the now famous copyright decision, “To each cow her calf and to each book its copy.”  Colm Cille was forced to return the copy of the Psalter to Finnian.

This decision led to the Battle at Cúl Dreimhne, near Ben Bulben in County Sligo, Dermott's army and Colm Cille's family (Uí Néills) met. Throughout the battle (often called The Battle of the Books), Colm Cille prayed for the success of the northern force. His prayers were answered. The High King's army of three thousand men was massacred, with only one casualty on the side of the Uí Néills.

Colm Cille was almost excommunicated for his actions in inciting the battle, but he was saved at the last minute by the intervention of St. Brendan of Birr.  However, in confessing his sins to St. Molaise, Colmcille was given a most unusual penance.  St. Molaise said, “You will leave your land and your kindred – forever.  You shall behold them no more but shall travel in foreign lands, winning as many souls for Christ as were slain at Cúl Dreimhne.” He then left for Scotland and established his monastery on the island of Iona.

MIKE