3.5 Kilmacrenan

This is where Colmcille is said to have lived with his foster father Cruithneachán. There are two parts to the site – the left hand side is linked to Colmcille while the right side is the site of a 19th century Church of Ireland church.

This site formed part of a medieval pilgrimage route linking those sites in the Gartan area which were associated with the early life of Colmcille..

It was common for the sons of important families to be raised and educated in a foster family. Cruithneachán was a priest and would have been responsible for Colmcille’s religious education as well as teaching him the skills of a nobleman such as marksmanship, riding and swimming.

“The noble priest Cruithneachán son of Ceallachán baptised him immediately following his birth and gave him the name Crimthann. Cruithneachán fostered and instructed him after that, as the angels of God had told him to. Crimthann means the same in Gaelic as ‘deceitful one’ or ‘fox’ means in Latin. It seemed to Almighty God that this wasn’t a kind or suitable name for the quality or goodness of the holy boy, so He put it into the hearts and minds of the children and boys that played and sported with him to call him Colum Cille. Or was it His own angels that were sent to them to tell them to call him that…

As the holy youth was being trained in the nearby monastic settlement of Doire Eithne (‘Eithne’s Oakwood’), that is known today as Kilmacrennan, the children that played with him called him Colum (‘Dove’) of the Cill (‘Church’). That is how Colum Cille was his name.”

                              Manus O’Donnell p33

Tradition says that Colmcille returned to this site in order to found a monastery sometime before he left Derry for Scotland in 563. This foundation is said to have survived until 1129 when it was raided and burned down.

There was a later Franciscan friary on the site, founded by Manus O’Donnell in 1537. O’Donnell was responsible for the ‘Life of Colum Cille’ which was completed in 1532. This extensive account of the saint’s life is the source of many links between Colmcille and this area.

The local O’Donnell chieftains were said to have been inaugurated on this site. The ceremony took place in two parts – the religious element here at Kilmacrenan and the civil ceremony at Doon Rock.

Gartan – County Donegal

3.1 Colmcille Heritage Centre
The Colmcille Heritage Centre sits on the shore of Gartan Lough on the edge of Glenveagh National Park. Displays in the centre tell the story of Colmcille’s early years in the Gartan area and describe the spread of early Christianity in Ireland and Scotland, giving details of monastic and religious life. There...
3.2 Leac na Cumhaidh
This flagstone at Lacknacoo is one of the places where Colmcille’s mother Eithne is said to have given birth to him. The other place is at nearby Churchtown. The flagstone is dotted with small ‘cupmarks’. The origins of this ancient monument aren’t known but it may date to the Bronze Age....
3.3 Churchtown
Churchtown - Ráth Cnó - is said to be the place where Colmcille’s family lived. According to tradition they later gave over the land so that a monastic settlement could be created here. The site is still used as a turas by pilgrims who walk barefoot between the five marked stations....
3.4 Doon Fort & Holy Well
Until the 16th century, the Rock of Doon was the inauguration site of the O’Donnell chieftains. There were two ceremonies - one civil ritual here and one religious ritual which took place at Kilmacrenan. It is likely that this was the site of a fort belonging to the O’Donnells. Manus O’Donnell...
3.5 Kilmacrenan
This is where Colmcille is said to have lived with his foster father Cruithneachán. There are two parts to the site - the left hand side is linked to Colmcille while the right side is the site of a 19th century Church of Ireland church. This site formed part of...
3.6 Tulach Dubhglaise
Temple Douglas was an ancient monastic site which used to stand on the old road out of Letterkenny, the main route for travellers passing through the area. Colmcille is said to have been baptised here as a Christian in 521 by his foster father Cruithneachán mac Ceallachán. It was common...