2021 also marks the 1500th anniversary of his birth.
Events have been taking place over the past number of days to mark the occasion with special masses being said today in Donegal and Derry.
Two new Colmcille exhibitions have also opened today; ‘Colmcille - Man and Myths’ is at the Tower Museum until September before moving to Donegal County Museum.
This is a joint exhibition between the two Councils which will take people on journey of discovery around the world of Colmcille in Donegal and Derry.
Whilst in Donegal Central Library in Letterkenny, a limited edition of the ‘Faksimile Verlag Luzern’ Book of Kells presented in an decorative case will be on display alongside a limited edition poem by Seamus Heaney ‘Colum Cille the Scrib’.
This year marks the 1500th anniversary of the Saint s birth.
Celebrations start tomorrow with the 2021 American Conference for Irish Studies which will be broadcast live from Ulster University’s Magee campus, where academics and historians from across the globe will bring Colmcille’s rich academic legacy to life.
Some of the live streamed sessions will be available to the public at www.acis2021.com including a keynote address by Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland on Thursday 3rd June at 5pm as well as addresses by the Irish and UK ambassadors to the US on Saturday 5th June.
As part of the conference, a special programme ‘Slí Colmcille’ presented by Líonra Leitir Ceanainn in conjunction with Letterkenny Regional Cultural Centre will premiere live on Friday 4th June at 8pm on www.facebook.com/LIONRALC with music and poetry, history and storytelling from a host of wonderful guests across Ireland and Scotland.