Free lecture on St Columbanus in Carlow College tonight

DR Damian Bracken, a history lecturer at University College Cork, is set to give a free lecture titled St Columbanus, the Irish and Rome today (Tuesday) at 6.30pm in Carlow College St Patrick’s.

The lecture will focus on how this native of Co Carlow, Columbanus was born near Myshall, came to be referred to as Ireland’s first European as he founded monasteries associated with kings and corresponded with popes across the continent.

Dr Bracken is a senior lecturer in the school of history at University College Cork and he is currently working on a book about Columbanus’ manuscripts and a project on manuscripts associated with his continental links.

This lecture marks the end point of the Ireland and the Birth of Europe Exhibition that toured the country as part of the Columbanus weekend Carlow last July. The exhibition was on display in Carlow County Museum in July and August 2025 in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs.