Who is he?Saint Columba was hugely important in the wild lands which would one day become Scotland. As well as spreading Christianity throughout the region he acted as a diplomat. He met with the di�erent tribes which were often in bloody con�ict with each other. He was used as a delegate or intermediary between opposing sides and negotiated peace treaties. He was respected among all even those who refused to convert. From his monastery in Iona Saint Columba developed a centre of learning. In Iona they created some of the greatest Religious art the world has seen. It is believed that much of The Book of Kells was created in Iona and the book is sometimes referred to as the book of Columba. It is widely regarded as Ireland’s �nest national treasure. The artwork produced on Iona was made to illuminate the new testament of the Bible but it also has given the Irish and Scottish people a fantastic artistic culture.

Why should I care?Well as you can see from above. He’s a fairly important historical �gure but also I feel on a more human level his life story is an extremely interesting one not only for those interested in history. His life is full of exciting tales and incredible incidents and I �nd it hard to believe there has not been a book or even a animated programme or �lm of him yet. Saint Patrick is known world-wide and I would say that St. Colm Cille was just as important and more interesting.

What do I want to do about it?Now is the perfect time to produce a book on Saint Columba. The City of Culture Status kicks o� 2013. There is a window of opportunity to create a book on a historical �gure that would coincide with a Huge Cultural Event in Derry. People will be �ocking to Derry from all over the world and I think it would be complimentary to the city of culture bid to have a high quality illustrated book available re-counting the life of Derry’s Patron Saint. St. Columba is more known in Scotland than he is in his native land and although most people in Derry have heard of St. Columba and some even know that he was the city’s founding father when pushed for any more information on him they mostly draw a blank. I think that this is a tragedy and like many others I was ignorant of his amazing life story up until recently and I feel that it is a story that needs and is worthy of acknowledgement from visitors to Derry and natives of Derry.

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