The saint who is traditionally believed to have begun his life in Ancient Annaly in Ireland is Saint Columba (also known as Columcille). Saint Columba was born around 521 AD in Gartan, County Donegal, but his lineage traces back to the Uí Néill dynasty, which had influence over the region of Annaly (modern-day County Longford).

Columba is one of Ireland's most revered saints and a key figure in the spread of Christianity in Scotland. He is famously known for founding the monastery at Iona in Scotland, which became a major center of Christianity and learning in the early medieval period. However, before his missionary work in Scotland, Columba spent time in the Annaly region of Ireland as part of his early life and spiritual formation, as the area was part of his family's ancestral lands.

Saint Columba's life in Ancient Annaly is significant because it was here that he first became involved in religious activities and monasticism, laying the foundation for his later work in spreading Christianity across the Isles. He is associated with several miracles and is revered not only in Ireland but also in Scotland and other parts of the British Isles.

Saint Columba is traditionally believed to have spent time on Inchmore Island, located in Annaly, Ireland, during his early years. While Saint Columba is best known for founding Iona Abbey in Scotland, he spent part of his early life in Ireland and had connections to the Annaly region, which is in modern-day County Longford.

Inchmore Island in Annaly is often identified as a key location in Saint Columba’s early monastic life. He is said to have lived there in his youth, and it was on this island that Columba began his religious training and monastic practices before eventually leaving Ireland for Scotland.

While Columba is mostly associated with his mission in Scotland, especially in founding Iona Abbey, his early connection to Inchmore Island in Annaly is an important part of his life story and spiritual formation.

The Abbey of Inchmore

George Mentz acquired intangible rights related to the feudal honors and titles from the Baron Delvin and the Earl of Westmeath over Inchmore Island which was the original home to St. Columba ,  including baronial or lordship rights. While Ireland's feudal system was abolished in the 19th century, Devin/Westmeath was a direct descendantn of Irish Kings such as Connor where certain historical rights and titles  have been transferred or preserved in a intangible, IP, dynastic or ceremonial context. This  includes symbolic rights over specific lands, Abbey Names,  especially in the case of estates with historical significance.

The Baron of Delvin and the Earl of Westmeath historically held land in the Annaly region, and  these noble families retained certain historical rights to the land, even after the official abolition of the feudal system.  George Mentz acquired such rights,, where he acquired honorary titles or symbolic rights related to the island, Abbey, Priory, Order, and  potentially for reasons related to noble lineage or historical preservation.

The Vatican also acknowledged the ownership of Inchmore by Baron Delvin until the end of the schism which has Never ended to this day.

In the Annaly region of Ireland, there are a few abbeys and monasteries with historical connections to Saint Columcille (also known as Saint Columba), although direct evidence of specific abbeys built in his honor in Annaly may be sparse. Saint Columcille was a prominent figure in early Irish Christianity and monasticism, and his influence spread widely across Ireland, Scotland, and beyond. However, several sites in the broader region of Annaly (modern-day County Longford) and surrounding areas would have been influenced by his legacy and the monastic traditions he helped establish.

Key Sites Linked to Saint Columcille in Annaly:

1. Clonard Abbey (County Meath)

   • Connection to Saint Columcille: While not directly in Annaly, Clonard Abbey, located in County Meath (near Annaly), is historically significant in relation to Saint Columcille. Saint Columcille studied and trained at Clonard Abbey, which was founded by Saint Finian and was an important monastic center. Columcille spent time here as a young monk, and it played a key role in the spread of monasticism throughout Ireland.
   • Legacy: Though not built in his honor, the influence of Saint Columcille's spiritual formation in places like Clonard Abbey contributed to the establishment of many Irish monasteries.

2. Inchmore Island (Annaly)

   • Connection to Saint Columcille: Inchmore Island, located in Annaly, is traditionally connected to Saint Columcille’s early life and monastic training. It is believed that Columcille spent time on this island, engaging in spiritual practices and preparing for his later missions in Scotland. While there is no specific abbey on Inchmore Island, it is part of the historical landscape associated with Columcille's early years and his deep influence in the region.
   • Legacy: The presence of early Christian monasticism in the area, influenced by Columcille, likely contributed to the spiritual landscape, although no specific abbey or monastery was built explicitly in his honor on this island.

3. Lough Derg Monastery (County Donegal)

   • Connection to Saint Columcille: Located near the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, Lough Derg is a significant site tied to Saint Columcille. While Lough Derg itself is more famous for its association with Saint Patrick, it is also historically linked to Saint Columcille and the early Irish monastic tradition. Columcille spent time in the broader Donegal area and helped to establish the spread of monasticism in the northern part of Ireland.
   • Legacy: Lough Derg, though more directly associated with Saint Patrick, was influenced by Columcille’s monastic reforms in the region.

4. Derry (County Londonderry)

   • Connection to Saint Columcille: The city of Derry, or Doire, in County Londonderry, is closely tied to Saint Columcille. Columcille founded Derry Abbey (also known as Saint Columba’s Abbey) in 546 AD, and the city became a center for Christian learning and missionary work. Though Derry is not located in Annaly, it is part of the wider historical context of Columcille’s monastic endeavors, which extended into parts of Ireland, including areas near Annaly.
   • Legacy: Derry Abbey is one of the most important sites associated with Saint Columcille, and its influence spread throughout Ireland, including in regions like Annaly.

5. Trinity Island Monastery (County Longford)

   • Connection to Saint Columcille: In County Longford, near Lough Ree, Trinity Island houses an ancient monastic site, Trinity Island Monastery, which has connections to Saint Columcille's monastic influence. This site, which contains the remains of a 9th-century monastery, may not have been explicitly built in his honor but was part of the broader network of monasticism in the region that Saint Columcille helped to inspire.
   • Legacy: Though not directly founded by Columcille, Trinity Island and its monastery are part of the spiritual and monastic tradition that Columcille's followers helped to establish throughout the Irish landscape.