Here stands St Colmcille’s Church in Swords. This church has an ancient history. That history goes back as far as the 6th century. St Colmcille brought Christianity to the area around 560 AD.
St Colmcille chose a site for an abbey overlooking the river in 560 A.D. This is where St Columba’s now stands. The Abbey lands took in all of the modern River Valley parish. It also included Brackenstown Balheary as well as Swords. It consisted of a large church. There were separate cells for the monks to live in. There was also a school a mill grain house and guesthouse.
Colmcille was born in Gartan near Letterkenny in Co Donegal in 521 A.D. He was a descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages. His father was a prince of Tír Conaill. His mother was a princess of Leinster. He was christened Criomhthann. He was placed under the care of the priest who baptised him.
Colmcille was sent to the monastery of St Finian at Moville to further his education. Then he learned the art of poetry in Leinster from Gemman his master. He visited the monastery of Clonard in Co Meath. He was ordained a priest. After his ordination he studied for a time at the monastery of St Moibhí at Glasnevin. He returned to Donegal. He was given a grant of land on the shores of Lough Swilly. He built a church and founded the monastery of Doire Colmcille. After seven years he set about founding other monasteries. He built them in places such as Kells Durrow and Lambay.
While in Swords Colmcille copied a book of psalms. He did not have permission. It belonged to his former teacher St Finian of Moville. Finian demanded that the copy be given to him. He said it had been unlawfully obtained. Colmcille refused to give the copy to Finian. The matter was referred to King Diarmuid of Tara. The King decided in Finian’s favour. He said with every book its own book as with every cow her calf.
Colmcille was displeased with this ruling. He refused to return the book. The dispute over the book resulted in the Battle of Cooldriona in Connaught in 563 A.D. Three thousand lives were lost. Colmcille was so upset at what he had done that he left Ireland as a penance. He founded a monastery at Iona off the coast of Scotland. It is said that he only returned to Ireland once. He was asked to intercede on behalf of the bards at the Convention of Drumceat. He died in Iona on 9 June 597. His remains were brought back to Ireland. They were buried in Downpatrick.
His feast day is celebrated on 9 June. 600 years after his death the privilege of holding a fair in Swords was granted to the Archbishop of Dublin by King John. The day chosen was the feast day of St Colmcille.
The current St Colmcille’s Church building was constructed in 1827. It cost £1820. The church has undergone a few changes since then. These include the addition of a two-story vestry. There are carved marble altar rails and a copper-clad steeple. The church is located on Church Lane. This is roughly 300 meters from the main street of Swords village. About 300 people can be accommodated in the church. There is a pipe organ on the choir balcony.
St Columba’s Church Lodge was built in 1870. It cost £140. The square clock tower dates back to the 14th century. It was added to the ancient abbey. An engraving dates from 1791. It shows the belfry tower and the remains of the medieval church walls. These walls were taken down in 1830. This was when St. Columba’s Church was being rebuilt. The Round Tower is said to have being built in the 9th century. The cross at the top of the tower was put there in the late 17th century. It was to let people know that it was a Christian Tower.
St. Columba’s Church is an important religious and historical landmark in Ireland. The church has played a significant role in the spiritual and cultural life of the local community for over 200 years. Its architecture rich history and ongoing community involvement make it a unique and cherished institution in the region.