Columba of Terryglass

Columba of Terryglass (Colum) (died 13 December 552) was the son of Ninnidh, He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.

Life In his youth, he learned his psalms and hymns from an old holy man named Colman Cule, who lived near Clonenagh, and founded the church of Cluain Cain. Afterwards, he studied with Finnian of Clonard. Columba resolved to go to Rome and bring back some relics of Saints Peter and Paul. On his return, he visited Tours and brought from there the staff of St. Martin of Tours. Fintan of Clonenagh received his religious formation at Terryglass and was deeply influenced by the penitential practices and the severity of the Rule.

When Finnian was in extremis, suffering from the plague, he sent for Columba to administer Holy Viaticum. Columba himself died of the plague on 13 December 552, and was buried within the precincts of his monastery at Terryglass. A holy well, named after Columba, is located in the village of Terryglass and is alleged to cure headaches and migraines.

Some fifteen other saints of Ireland, bearing the name Columba, are mentioned in the Martyrology of Gorman.