This saint is also know as St. Colman of Dromore
Droim Mór, means large ridge, and today Dromore is a small market town in County Down. It was to become an important centre in the days when St. Colman came of age.
St. Colman was born around 450 A.D. He was venerated from early times in Scotland and Ireland. He is affectionately known as Mocholmoc, or Mocholmog which is three words in one, meaning my young Colum; Mo = My, Cholm = Colum / Colman, and og or oc = young or little. The Life of Saint Colman of Dromore preserved in the Codex Salmanticensis. From this, we learn the traditions. They tell us that St. Colman of Dromore was born in the ancient Dalriada Kingdom, which extended from the Antrim Coasts, up into the western Isles of Scotland.
Tradition also tells us that St. Colman was baptized by his uncle, a bishop bearing the same name. The story fascinates, as the Almighty God caused a fountain to burst forth from the earth, and with such fountain, the young Colman was baptized. After this miracle inspired baptism, his parents sent him to be instructed by St. Caylan, abbot over Nendrum on Mahee Island in Strangford Lough. Mahee is interchangeable with Mochay, a term of endearment to master Caylan. Mochay is also known as Coelan or Caetan. The young Colman received the rudiments of literature, and practical lessons for a devout life. He grew capable of learning by perfect memory. One day his spiritual director told him, to remove a certain rock impeding the progress of the monks, when reciting their Matins. Colman miraculously removed this rock, by making a sign of the cross.
After excelling in his studies under Caylan, Colman then studied under St. Ailbe of Emly in south Tipperary. He studied with Ailbe to perfect his knowledge of the Scriptures, staying some years in Tipperary. He returned to Nendrum and acted for some time as assistant to Mochay at his school.
Colman would finally seek advice about his future religious life from his friend, Aengus MacNissi (Macanisius). Aengus had been baptised by Patrick and founded the church of Connor. He advised Colman thus… “It is the will of God that you erect a monastery within the bounds of Coba plain”. The Coba plain lies within the Lagan valley, passing through Dromore. Acting on this advice, Colman established his community by a river, called Locha, now known as the Lagan which passes through Dromore. His most notable pupil was St. Finnian of Moville who went on to establish a monastery at Maigh Bhille (“plain of the ancient tree”) or Movilla on Strangford Lough.
A remarkable account of St. Colman is written, when one time he preached to a great multitude, in the woods, when some importunate bards began to demand of him a gift. Colman replied: “At present, I have nothing to give you, but God’s word.” But they were not happy, and one told Colman to, “Keep the word of God for yourself, and give us something else.” Colman reacted saying, “You foolishly reject the best and select the worst of gifts.” But they urged him all the more to work miracles for them. God’s power was made manifest on those insolent bards. The earth suddenly swallowed them up, and that was the end of that.
Colman’s feast is celebrated 7 June. His monastery along the Lagan River later became diocese of Dromore, and Colman is today the patron of that diocese.
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