Colmcille: Cosantóir na mBan

Tau cross on Oileán Thoraí, Tory Island Image Name: Tau cross on Oileán Thoraí, Tory Island Description: Tau cross on Oileán Thoraí, Tory Island
Celtic Cross and Iona Abbey Image Name: Celtic Cross and Iona Abbey Description: Celtic Cross and Iona Abbey

Rugadh Colm Cille 1,500 bliain ó shin i nGartán, Co. Dhún na nGall agus tá sé ar dhuine de naomhphátrúin na tíre seo. Fear naofa, file, taidhleoir agus deoraí ab ea é, agus sa chlár seo cuireann Áine Ní Bhreisleáin portráid iomlán inár láthair den bhfear eisceachtúil seo a bhfuil clú air ar fud na cruinne.  Cloisfidh sí faoi Cholmcille mar chosantóir na mban agus é ag teacht i gcabhair ar an mbantracht.  Cloisfear faoin ab a bhí mar chomharba ar Cholmcille ar Oileán Í, Adomnán, agus a chuir an dlí Cáin Adomnáin ar bun sa bhliain 697, dlí a thug cosaint do mhná agus do neamhthrodaithe.  Tugtar uaireanta Coinbhinsiún na Ginéive a linne ar an dlí sin.  Ar na haíonna a bheidh le cloisteáil beidh an staraí Brian Lacey agus an scéalaí Gearóidín Breathnach.

As we mark 1,500 years since the birth of Saint Colmcille/ Columba, Áine Ní Bhreisleáin reflects on the significance of this extraordinary man who was a missionary, a poet and scribe, a diplomat and, ultimately, an exile. She also discovers how Colmcille became known as the protector of women, and hears stories in which he came to the aid of women. We also learn about St. Adomnán/ Eunan, who succeeded Colmcille as Abbot of Iona, and who created a law known as Cáin Adomnáin in the year 697.  This law gave protection to women and non-combatants under law, and is sometimes referred to as the Geneva Conventions of its era.  Guests on the show will include historian Brian Lacey and storyteller Gearóidín Breathnach.