Donegal County Council is set to request that the Government establish a new public holiday in honour of Saint Colmcille, also known as St Columba, who is the only Irish patron saint without a designated public holiday, reports RTE.
Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh, whose motion for the holiday was approved at the council’s latest meeting, explained that there are two key aspects to the proposal.
“Ireland currently lags behind the European average, which sees 12 public holidays per year. St Colmcille is one of Ireland’s three patron saints, alongside St Patrick and St Brigid, yet he doesn’t have a public holiday. We’re looking to rectify that,” he said, reports RTE.
Today marks the feast day of St Colmcille. Cllr Kavanagh suggested two possible solutions, given that there is already a bank holiday in June.
“One option could be renaming the June Bank Holiday in honour of St Colmcille, but that wouldn’t fully address the issue of Ireland having fewer public holidays than the rest of Europe. Alternatively, we could introduce a new holiday on the first Monday of July, as there is currently no public holiday in July in Ireland,” he added, reports RTE.
Cllr Kavanagh emphasized: “St Colmcille has an incredible story. It would be a fitting occasion for a new holiday. We hope the Government will consider our proposal positively.”
He also noted that any recognition of St Colmcille would have significance beyond Ireland, with all-Ireland, cross-border, and international dimensions due to his influence and legacy, reports RTE.
St Colmcille, believed to have been born in Gartán, County Donegal, in 521AD, is credited with establishing over 50 Christian sites across Ireland. His name, Colmcille, translates to “Dove of the Church,” and he is celebrated as one of Ireland’s patron saints alongside St Patrick and St Brigid.
Many locations in both the northwest and eastern parts of Ireland are linked to St Colmcille, including places like Gleann Cholm Cille, Toraigh, Kells, and Swords. He is also the patron saint of Derry, which in Irish is Doire Cholmcille, meaning “oakwood of Colmcille,” reports RTE.
In addition to his work in Ireland, St Colmcille was a key figure in spreading Christianity throughout Britain, particularly through his monastery on the island of Iona, off the coast of Scotland.
His monasteries were significant centres of learning and culture, and it is believed that the Book of Kells, one of Ireland’s most famous historical manuscripts, was created by monks at the Columban monastery on Iona, reports RTE.
St Colmcille passed away in Iona on June 9, 597, and his legacy has persisted to the present day. Numerous schools, churches, and GAA clubs across Ireland are named in his honour.
Ireland currently observes ten public holidays each year, with St Brigid’s Day being the most recent addition in 2023.
The legislation governing public holidays is the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 (OWTA), which falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Act also provides the legal framework for adding additional public holidays, reports RTE.
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