A sculpture to commemorate 1,500 years since the birth of Saint Colmcille has been unveiled in Glencolmcille by former president Mary McAleese.
She said that Colmcille was, “in the sixth century and still today, a bridge that connects religion, class, culture and politics.”
Mrs McAleese added that she took personal pride in unveiling the monument in a part of Donegal that was so closely associated with him.
Along with her husband Martin, she is a regular visitor to the area to attend the Oideas Gael language and cultural centre.
Sculptor John McCarron said that the sculpture itself is based on the evangelist symbols from The Book of Kells – a book closely associated with the saint.
John McCarron, sculptor.
This is the last official event of this year’s celebration of the 1,500th anniversary of his birth but the Bishop of Raphoe, Alan McGuckian, said it was the perfect opportunity to establish Slí Cholmcille.
“This is the third year people have walked in the footsteps of Colmcille. Starting here around Sliabh Liag and Gleann Cholmcille and walked through Gartán where he was born, Letterkenny where a cathedral in his honour is, and into Derry, we really feel that there is a legacy there that will live on,” he said
Donna Ní Ghallchobhair, Lárchomhairle Paróiste Ghleann Cholmcille, said that the event was a “beautiful finish to the commemoration” and that she was “delighted and excited that Glenn Cholmcille was chosen for the monument.”