Installation for ‘Turas’ Exhibition – A Reflection on St. Columkille

This installation was created in response to an invitation to participate in the Turas exhibition at the Letterkenny Regional Cultural Centre, celebrating the 1500th anniversary of St. Columkille (also known as St. Columba).

At the time, I had a chance encounter with historian Brian Lacey, who had recently moved into my neighborhood. He was writing an article for the Irish Archaeological Journal about the Ray Cross ( pronounced Rye), its history, and its legendary connections to St. Columkille. This coincided with the recent death of my mother and the discovery of a collection of family prayer books and Bibles, adding a personal layer to my response.

Columkille is known for being at the center of the first recorded copyright dispute, making the presence of these Bibles particularly resonant. The theme of sacred texts also appears in the legend of the Ray Cross. According to tradition, the cross was originally intended for Tory Island, but Columkille forgot his Bible. When the cross reached the Church of St. Finnian, Columkille realized he had left his Bible behind on Muckish, just as it began to rain. St. Finnian offered to retrieve it on one condition: if the Bible remained dry and unharmed, he would be granted a wish. Upon reaching Muckish, Finnian found the Bible resting on a rock, protected by a raven standing over it with its wings outstretched. Upon his return, Finnian requested that the cross remain at his church in Cloghaneely instead of continuing to Tory Island.

Another story woven into the installation is the tale of the “flying staff,” which recounts a contest between saints to see who could throw their staff to Tory Island. Columkille was the only one to succeed. This tale, like many others in early Christian mythology, has its roots in pre-Christian traditions—specifically in stories of the god Lugh of the Long Arm. The raven on Muckish, too, likely stems from older pagan symbolism.

In the summer of the following year this installation was taken to Tory and the replica of the cross was buried on the island.