Columba of Terryglass

Saint Columba of Terryglass (Colum, Columba of Tyrdaglas) was abbot of the monastery of Terryglass in Munster, Ireland, and one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. He reposed on 13 December 552.

He descended from the kings of Leinster. In his youth he learned the psalms and hymns from an old holy man, Colman Cule, then studied under Saint Finian of Clonard. He set out for Rome to bring back relics of Saints Peter and Paul, and on his return passed through Tours and brought back the staff of Saint Martin. He also visited England, where he preached to the Anglo-⁠Saxons. He returned home, stayed a year at Clonenagh and founded a church near Lough Derg. Around 520 an angel urged him to move to the island of Inis Cealtra. In 548 he founded the celebrated monastery of Terryglass. When Saint Finian was ill with plague, he sent for Columba to give him Holy Communion; Columba died of the plague himself and was buried in his monastery. In the village of Terryglass there is a well named after him, said to cure headaches.

He is a saint of the undivided Church and is commemorated on 12 and 13 December (New Calendar).