The Columban 2013 Welcome I am delighted to be able to write this learning through Catholic education. Foreword to the second edition of At the same time, I know that I do The Columban, the official chronicle not need to remind you that - as a of the most noteworthy events and quality school - we in St Columb’s achievements that have occurred value more than just academic in St Columb’s College in the past achievement. twelve months. And - to borrow from those words of First of all, I would like to record Seamus Heaney - what an ‘energy’ my thanks to all those individuals - we have displayed over the last staff and students - whose hard work, 12 months, whether it be inside the passion and perseverance have made the classroom or beyond the school’s walls! production of this second edition possible. In The content of this edition of The Columban particular, I would like to thank Mr Brendan O’Donnell make abundantly clear that the staff and students for his determination to make Columban No. 2 a of this school continue to create a present and forge publication worthy of this great school. In addition, a future that will ensure that the name of St Columb’s I would like to recognise the herculean efforts of the College remains a byword for success and achievement student editorial team, which has done so much to for many years to come. make this edition a reality. I would also like to say a sincere ‘thank you’ to our sponsors. Without their Finally, I would like to acknowledge the appointment generosity and loyalty to St Columb’s College, The of Monsignor Eamon Martin as Archbishop-elect of Columban would simply not be produced. Armagh. Monsignor Martin’s life has been inextricably linked with St Columb’s College for more than 25 years, I also want to pay tribute to the work undertaken by the as a student, teacher and finally, President of the school. school’s Management Team, work that helps create the In all of those guises he left an imprint on the school, context that makes the achievements outlined in these whether it be as an outstanding student, a talented pages possible. Equally worthy of recognition are the colleague or an energetic and inspirational leader. constant endeavours of all our staff which ensures that - as one of our Nobel laureates and Alumni Illustrissimi, May God bless him abundantly as he begins his new Seamus Heaney, puts it - St Columb’s ‘is not an edifice ministry! - it is an energy’. Finally, I would like to record formally my thanks to the College’s Board of Governors for their Mr Finbar Madden much-valued support and guidance. Principal My vision is of St Columb’s College as a quality school, leading the way educationally in Derry and beyond as a strong learning community; an institution that remains deeply committed to its primary focus of teaching and 1 The Columban 2013 Welcome from the Head Boy Hello. Welcome to ‘The Columban’. raised money for Saint Vincent de Paul It is an honour and a pleasure to be and the Foyle Hospice. However, this able to write this article. This magazine aid is not only given to charities based is a testament to the editorial team in Derry; we have donated to many and Mr O’Donnell; they have worked international charities such as Trócaire, extremely hard to create such a fantastic Oxfam and Children in Crossfire. Indeed publication. the school has assembled a group of sixth form boys who are departing This year I was given the privilege of for Tanzania in the summer on a being the Head Boy in St Columb’s. It is humanitarian aid scheme. It is clear that a position which I thoroughly enjoyed. St Columb’s values the welfare of people facing hardship throughout the world; I St Columb’s holds an extremely prestigious think that this is a credit to the pupils and position here in Derry and indeed far further afield. staff of the school. We have had noble laureates, politicians, poets and other scholars who were “College Boys”, we have won Being Head Boy has given me many responsibilities: countless tournaments spanning a wide spectrum of meeting and greeting guests, organizing prefect rotas, sports competitions and we are well known for our giving speeches and organizing the School Formal. academic successes; all these things contribute to St Thankfully however, I was not alone. I have had a Columb’s rich and diverse history. fantastic team of Deputy Head Prefects and of course our great team of Prefects. I would like to publically The school offers so many opportunities both during thank Nathan Adam, James Lynch, Conor Barr and and after school. It would be wrong to say that the Kevin Harkin for everything they have done. I would school stops at 3:30; the place is buzzing throughout have been completely lost without them. I couldn’t have the week with many different afterschool activities. It is asked for a better team and I truly mean that! clear that the training, the planning, the determination and commitment of the students and staff has allowed One of the things I love about the school is that we St Columb’s to enjoy many successes in the past are all a family. College boys look out for each other. year. Some of these successes are highlighted here Each year group is a unit, a team, a family where the in ‘The Columban’. There is also the Student Council members look out for each other. The sense of solidarity which does tremendous work within the school. I am created in our school is awe inspiring. I believe that it a member of the Council and it is really nice to see the would be hard to find that anywhere else. Our solidarity school taking the pupils’ suggestions seriously on board. and school pride can be seen in this magazine. The school prides itself on its care for the pupils; the This year is my last year in St Columb’s and although pastoral team here within the school are fantastic and I have the trials and tribulations of university to look they are always there to lend a hand. We have two forward to, I am really sad to be leaving St. Columb’s. school internal councillors and one external councillor If I had it my way I would be sitting down there with who comes in every week. If someone is having trouble you right now getting ready to do it all over again. I love and they don’t feel like talking to an adult, peer mentors this place and I really mean that. I’ve grown up within are there to hear problems and give advice. Not only these walls and this place has been my home for seven does this lessen the burden, it also creates a link and years. The ones that I have made here will stay with me friendship between the junior and senior boys. St forever and I will always look back with a smile when Columb’s truly does a great job in its attempts to help remembering my days here in St Columb’s for they have its pupils. been extremely happy memories. It is also great to see that St Columb’s gives something Thank you! back to the local community in the form of its charitable Dean O’Driscoll donations; the school was an active supporter for the Head Boy ‘Walk for Life’ in memory of Patrick Toland, we have also 2 The Columban 2013 Outstanding scholar of medieval history Fr Kieran Devlin, known in Irish as An approachable, a great listener and had tAthair Ciarán Ó Doibhlin, who has died an ability to draw people out. Thus he suddenly, was an outstanding scholar of was much respected among his fellow medieval history, particularly of Ulster. priests. He carried out research on Saints He suffered permanent ill-health due to Patrick and Columba (or Colmcille). He a spinal injury in a car crash when he accomplished important work on the was 14. This resulted in his spending six origins of ecclesiastical place names in months in hospital. He did not allow it the Diocese of Derry. He had the gift of to restrict his life, or produce a shred of questioning accepted wisdom. Thus he self-pity. did not accept there was such a race as “Celts” who conquered Ireland. He Fr Devlin was born in Rouskey, Co Tyrone, frequently expressed frustration with the attitude that on January 1938, the third child to James Devlin, Irish history started with the Plantation of Ulster. a primary school teacher, and his wife Sarah (née Doherty). His father was a native of the area. His mother His knowledge of Latin and old Irish enabled him to read was from Mayo. James Devlin died when Fr Devlin the original medieval sources in those languages. He was young and the family moved to Mountfield. He carried out most of his research while in parish ministry. received his education at local primary schools, then at He regularly worked on history from about 10.30pm until St Columb’s College. From there he went to Maynooth, about 4am - the only period he was guaranteed to be taking a degree in French and Irish. undisturbed. Bhí an Ghaeilge sa dúchas aige. Bhí sé ag fás aníos go After retiring from parish ministry, he became archivist of díreach agus gríosach na Gaeilge ag fáil bháis ina áit Derry diocese.