Could Ireland be getting a new bank holiday? That's the hope of Donegal Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh, who is leading the charge for a new bank holiday in honor of St. Colmcille, also known as St. Columba.
Kavanagh's motion calling upon the Donegal County Council to write to the Irish Government requesting the new bank holiday was passed late last month, Donegal News reported.
This week, Kavanagh told IrishCentral he put his proposal for a new bank holiday to the Donegal County Council for two reasons.
"Firstly, Ireland has ten public holidays. The average across the European Union is 12.8 days, so we are quite a bit behind the European average in terms of public holidays.
"Secondly, Ireland has three recognised patron saints, St. Patrick, St. Brigid, and St. Colmcille. Both St. Patrick and St. Brigid have public holidays in their honour, St. Colmcille has not, and I feel this should be addressed."
Kavanagh noted that St. Colmcille was born in Gartan in Co Donegal, and is also recognized as the founder of Derry City.
"He had monasteries in various parts of Ireland as well as in Iona in Scotland," Kavanagh said.
"He also spread Christianity across many parts of England and Europe.
"So, he is significant in an all-Ireland context, as well as a UK context, and European context."
Kavanagh added: "St. Colmcille also crosses religious divides in that he is not just a Catholic saint; he is also recognised, for example, by the Anglican church.
"St. Colmcille’s name translates as 'the dove of the church.' He is known for his efforts to protect civilians in times of war, a very radical proposal at the time, and one that is relevant in today’s world."
Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh.
But, when would the Irish bank holiday for St. Colmcille fall?
"His feast day is the 9th of June, but since we already have a public holiday in June, I am proposing that we have a holiday in his honour on the first Monday in July," Kavanagh told IrishCentral.
"This would give people a long weekend at the height of summer, when kids are off school, and it would be easier for families to take a break and perhaps visit some of the many places associated with St. Colmcille across the country, and walk in his footsteps, enjoy nature, heritage and history and hopefully good weather also."
Kavanagh said that with his motion approved by Donegal County Council, the next step is for the Council to write to the central Irish Government for the motion to be progressed.
"I hope it can be looked on favourably," Kavanagh said.
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