“He was a very human man who sought to live out his Christian vocation as a monk in a radical way. He walked a tightrope between being an outsider and yet having to operate within power structures – a balancing act which he did not always manage to negotiate successfully.”

Large parts of the route will be mapped in 2019 and a smartphone app will be launched in mid 2019 that will allow pilgrims to negotiate the pilgrim trail.

Columbanus, born c.550 on the Carlow/Wexford border, is the best known of the many Irish missionaries who re-evangelised Europe during the Middle Ages.

Former president, Mary McAleese, presents “the story of a great Irish monk” who “literally changed the fate and faith of Europe” in the dark ages.

Ceremony of investiture of the two Irish priests as canons highlights the religious heritage shared by the people of both Down and Connor and Piacenza-Bobbio.

Primate of All Ireland leads celebration at St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh of a national Mass of Thanksgiving marking the 14th centenary of the Saint’s death.

Bell is part of the 1,400th anniversary celebrations of St Columbanus as well as the centenary celebrations of the Knights of St Columbanus.

Irish faithful urged to imitate St Patrick and the great Irish missionary endeavours of past centuries and become 'missionaries of mercy' for today's world.

President of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace pays first visit to Belfast.

“A huge honour for us to appoint such a distinguished and respected public figure to our staff at St Mary's.”

Cardinal Brady pays tribute to Irish Saint at a Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate the opening of the Jubilee Year commemorating the 1400th anniversary of the Saint’s death.

Children and young people need to be introduced to this towering figure of Christian heritage of Ireland and Europe.

2015 will mark the 1,400th anniversary of Saint Columban's death in Italy.