Columba, Colm: Pronounced as it is written
County: Londonderry
Born in 521, St. Columba is one of three chief Irish saints. Reported as founding 27 churches and 40 monasteries, Columba helped Christianize Ireland, Scotland and northern England. This “
pilgrim of Christ” founded an abbey on the island of Iona that proved hugely influential in Britain and Ireland. A
poet and keen manuscript writer, he is associated with many works, including the Book of Kells and The Book of Durrow. St. Columba is the patron saint of Derry, where he founded a monastery before he’d even reached the age of 20.