iona19 In AD 563 a nobleman left his roots in Ireland and traveled to Scotland with a band of twelve companions 'to be a pilgrim of Christ'. He stayed with the High King of Dál Riata, whose kingdom was centered on modern-day Argyll. In time he was gifted this island of Iona where he founded a monastery; here he stayed until he died in AD 597. His name Columba or Colum Cille meaning 'church dove' and he became one of the most important saints in the history of the early Christian Church. We know much about this saint’s life because it was recorded. Adomnán, the ninth Abbot of Iona, wrote the Life of Columba, about 100 years after the saint's death, a work still available to us now. As a result we know where Columba grew up, how he came to Scotland and some of the numerous miracles and stories associated with him. Little remains of Columba's early church, the majority of what you see around you is medieval. 'A priest and abbot named Columba, distinguished by his monastic habit and life, came from Ireland to Britain to preach the word of God in the provinces of the Northern Picts.' (Bebe, Hist. Eccl. III 4) St Columba's influence was felt not just on this island. The venerable Bebe writing in the eight century believed that Columba had come to Britain to convert the Picts who lived in what is now northern and eastern Scotland but what was then Pictland. Columba certainly worked amongst the Picts vesting the powerful Pictish King Bridei on more than one occasion. Columba's influence remained long after his death but not everyone recognized his legacy in the spirit it was meant. Viking marauders targeted monasteries for the wealth they held and Iona was no exception. The island came under attack in 795, 802, 806 and again in 825 with raids continuing through the ninth and into the tenth century. Appropriate action was taken early. Land was acquired at Kells in Ireland in 804 and a new monastery was completed in 814. Many of Iona's treasures were taken to Kells for safekeeping including the beautiful gospel, now known as the Book of Kells, which is thought to have been written on Iona.