Massive festival begins in Londonderry - will Book of Kells play a part?

With the curator of Trinity College speaking in the city in recent days, and an Irish frigate moored on the River Foyle, the theory that history is about to be made again in spectacular style may have some substance.

For the next two days, the streets and walls of Londonderry and the River Foyle becomes the stage for a unique series of events specially commissioned to celebrate the UK’s first City of Culture. 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 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 started 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 24 May, the Colmcille Curragh, a 40 foot canvas traditional boat, and her crew of 13 rowers set off on an epic journey mirroring that made by Colmcille and his followers almost fourteen hundred years ago.

Their arrival in Derry~Londonderry this evening 7 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.

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 8, 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.

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.”

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.