The Return of Colmcille

Derry~Londonderry welcomes back its patron saint and founder Colmcille in the UK’s most ambitious outdoor spectacle of 2013

A large-scale extravaganza to take place on 7th and 8th June as part of the UK City of Culture festivities, from Frank Cottrell Boyce, the writer of the Olympic opening ceremony and outdoor art experts Walk the Plank.

This June, the streets and walls of Derry~Londonderry and the River Foyle will become the stage for a unique series of events specially commissioned to celebrate the UK’s first City of Culture.  Taking place on the 7th and 8th June, this two day spectacle will see London 2012 Opening Ceremony writer Frank Cottrell Boyce celebrate the iconic patron saint, Colmcille (Columba), and the city of Derry~Londonderry. 

Through a series of events played out in chapters, The Return of Colmcille welcomes the mysterious saint back to the very city he founded, to his people, and the remarkable tales that he missed whilst he was away. With a cast and crew of over 800 people, the culmination of performances will be an unforgettable showdown on the River Foyle where a monstrous foe lies in wait. Expect storytelling on a grand scale, music, art, comedy, procession, performance and fireworks for this once in a lifetime weekend. 

The story starts on the tiny island of Iona, where Colmcille founded his most famous monastery, and from where he and his followers produced mesmerisingly beautiful manuscripts and spread not only Christianity but ideas about literacy, peace-making and nation-building. From there on the 24th May, the Colmcille Curragh, a 40 foot canvas traditional boat, and her crew of 13 rowers will set off on an epic  journey mirroring that made by Colmcille and his followers almost fourteen hundred years ago.

Their arrival in Derry~Londonderry on the evening of the 7th June marks the beginning of the weekend events. Accompanied on the final leg of their journey by an evocative soundtrack by Scottish composer Jim Sutherland, commissioned as a gift from Scotland, the Curragh will be followed by a barge carrying a large mysterious crate. This precious cargo is dramatically craned onto the Quayside and ceremonially processed to take pride of place in the Guildhall Square.

The next day, Saturday 8th June, at 2pm the contents of the box are revealed to the curious crowds gathered in Guildhall Square.  Entertainment and performances follow at locations across the City throughout the afternoon.

At 9pm the People’s Procession will make its way over the Peace Bridge and through the city before finally coming to a stop on Queens Quay.  Celebrating some of the unique chapters and characters that have been forged to form the identity of the city, the people of Derry~Londonderry come down to the River to support the returning Colmcille.

At 10:30pm the final chapter begins when strange sounds are heard from up the River. Tension builds as at last Colmcille’s nemesis is sighted.  Seeking revenge for being crushed by Colmcille the magnificent Loch Ness Monster approaches. As the people join together to defend their saint and their city an epic showdown unfolds in an explosive finale – a new moment is made in the history of the city.

Frank Cottrell Boyce said: “Colmcille is a colossal figure, a monastic superhero and his love for Derry is well documented in poetry and literature. Coming back to his home town he’ll want to hear all the stories he’s missed over the last 1500 years – from the shirt factories, to the Undertones, from Dopey Dick to the U-boat surrender on the Foyle and then of course there are suggestions that an old enemy might be afoot in the shape of Colmcille’s nemesis The Loch Ness Monster. The city of Derry~Londonderry is going to be completely transformed for two days and we want everyone to come along and take part.”

Culture Company Chief Executive Shona McCarthy said: “The Return of Colmcille will be one of the most iconic events to take place in the city during the UK City of Culture Celebrations in 2013 and the plans that Walk the Plank and Frank Cottrell Boyce have in place to celebrate the return of the city’s patron saint are amazing. It’s hard to explain the size and scale of events without giving too much away, you really have to come to Derry~Londonderry to experience it. Our city is fizzing with excitement and I can’t wait for all the surprises and the drama to unfold.”

Timings:
• Friday 7th June, 19:30, ‘The Arrival’ event; Quayside & Guildhall Square 1 hour approx.
• Saturday 8th June 14:00, ‘What’s in the box?’ Guildhall Square.
• Saturday 8th June, 14:30, ‘Welcome to Colmville’, Street Theatre, locations city wide.
• Saturday 8th June, 21:00 ‘People’s Procession’, Harbour Square, Strand Road and Queens Quay.
• Saturday 8th June, 22:30 ‘Showdown on the Foyle’, Queens Quay. 

A full programme of events and a map of the city and activity taking place on the Friday and Saturday will be distributed in the run up to the events.  For details of how to take part visit www.thereturnofcolmcille.com

Website: www.thereturnofcolmcille.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thereturnofcolmcille
Twitter: @RtnOfColmcille