In the footsteps of the saint

A number of interesting books, including the reissue of Marie Herbert's definitive Iona, Kells and Derry (1988), have appeared on Saint Columcille, in this the 1,400th anniversary of his death. Brian Lacey's study offers a brief, comprehensive account of the saint's life by carefully separating historical fact from a wealth of folklore and tradition. Central to this is Adomnan's Vitae Columbae, a work of hagiography praising its subject's spirituality and cataloguing his miracles and visions. Lacey also explores both the medieval, monastic world Colmcile was part of and the Columbian order he inspired. Written in precise, businesslike prose, Lacey's narrative manages to be both exciting and balanced. Doubts persist as to the reasons surrounding Colmcille's departure for Iona. It was believed to have been caused by his desire for exile following a dispute concerning an ilegallycopied manuscript; the saint's anger, according to the medieval writers, was well matched by the seagulls and birds of Lough Foyle pursuing the boat "screaming and screeching for grief that Colmcille was leaving Ireland". Drama also attended the saint's death, with a weeping white horse, and visons witnessed by many following his death in the early hours of June 9th, 597. The story then examines the religious and secular developments on Iona and elsewhere in the monastic world as the Columban legacy extended to Kells and Derry. Lacey also looks at the glories of the Book of Kells and its complex history, including speculations on the identities of its authors and also its place of composition and subsequent history. Lively, readable and informed, this is a useful introduction to a colourful story.