Colman of Dromore

Saint Colman of Dromore (also called Mocholmóc) was an Irish saint of the sixth century, the principal patron of the diocese of Dromore. He was born in Dalriada, about a generation after Saint Patrick's apostolate in Ireland, and was baptised by a bishop of the same name, who was also his uncle.

He is believed to have studied at the monastery of Nendrum, on the shore of Strangford Lough, under Saint Caolán (Mochaoi). According to tradition, Caolán, seeing his gifts and his grace for working miracles, sent him to visit other monasteries and to deepen his knowledge of Holy Scripture. Colman spent some years at the great school of Emly, then returned to his master and for a long time helped in the school, where among his pupils was Saint Finnian of Moville.

He was the first abbot of Muckmore in County Antrim and then, urged by Saint Mac Nissi, settled at Dromore. There, around 514, he built a small church of wattle and daub, probably thatched with reeds from the river Lagan. His disciples kept a very strict rule. Finnian is believed to have been a monk of Dromore earlier. In Colman's lifetime the monastery became an episcopal see, so that he perhaps ended his days not only as abbot but also as bishop. He is said to have baptised Saint Declán of Ardmore.

Another source calls him the teacher of Saint Finnian of Clonard. He is commemorated on 7 June as a saint of the West before the Great Schism (a saint of the undivided Church), by the New Calendar.