Note from Neal Carlin (06 January 2011)

I have already submitted a brief outline of the four acts involved in the pageant.

I here wish to do more detailed notes so that you may find it easier to do a script!

Act 1 Scene 1

The first day I am giving you a book which contains the story of Columba’s confrontation with the Loch Ness Monster (Symbolically this is Columba in the power of his Christ overcoming the power of evil that has been destroying and frightening the people in the area and has prevented them crossing the loch).

I would depict about 30-40 young people and adults in a carnival mood accompanying the monster figure from the diamond down to the Guildhall Square. This would be a colourful, musical, chanting group. It would require a suitable type composition of music and together with a very colourful dancing group. There would need to be four men, two at the back and two at the front, perhaps dressed as druids to tow the Loch Ness Monster type figure. The need for someone good on props and sound effects that would come from the monster is clear.

Following our discussions yesterday it would seem worthwhile to consider the notion of a large screen in the Guildhall Square where this previously recorded scene would be shown. The choir or chorus at the Square could provide the live music accompaniment.

Act 1 Scene 2

Columba and his 12 monks approach the Guildhall Square from the Strand Road side and the confrontation of both parties takes place in the Square (How we might have Columba and his friends chant some Psalm or Celtic prayer as they approach the Guildhall?)

Columba with his Celtic cross in one hand and small Psalter or Bible in the other commands in a loud voice that the tumult cease. In the silence that follows he banishes the monster from this place by a prayer and by raising the Cross of Christ. The Monster and the colleagues appear to collapse. Some of them then recover to drag off the stricken monster (His head falls down) towards the back of the Guildhall to be sunk in the sea. Columba and his monks begin a chant of victory and thanksgiving in which the choir join in.

As this first Act draws to an end Columba and his friends go aside perhaps behind the stage and out of sight.

Act 2 – The Dream of Ethne, Columba’s mother prior to his birth

Scene 1

Ethne is depicted on a recliner seat or a bed asleep. The angel appears to her in the dream presenting her with a beautiful, colourful piece of linen. As Ethne reaches out for the gift the angel takes it away from her (Originally I had thought of Creithnachan who was Columba’s first teacher from Kilmacrennan as the one who would narrate this story from the beginning. However after speaking with Mary and Marguerite perhaps the notion of Ethne on awakening and beginning to describe her dream and even sing about it would be an option!)

However it is conveyed the angel gives the linen cloth to young people dressed in white at the edge of the stage, they in turn take individual tapers which are attached to the cloth and by going to designated spots in the Guildhall Square spread the linen on the ground. The linen will contain a large map of Ireland showing all the places where Columba built foundations and Monasteries.

The old priest Creithnachan as narrator and the story teller walks around the map of Ireland to the various places that Columba studied in and built his Monasteries. This should be quite a powerful element in the pageant especially as he describes in a more elaborate way his foundation here Calcah? which later became known as Doire Columcille. (I would be happy to write the script for this part of the narrative if you wish).

Given this great work I would think that a poem or song of thanksgiving to God for the work of Columba in Ireland should then take place. This may develop into a time of praise hymns for the golden age of Ireland which seems to have been given a great start by Columba and his companions of the sixth century.

Act 3

The mood of joy and thanksgiving and leading to a quiet and prayerful music will suddenly give way to the sound of base drums and marching associated with battle. (Again I think we need the narrator to tell the audience the background to this conflict between Columba’s Northern O’Neills tribe and the High King’s army, that is the story of Columba’s refusal to return his copy of the Psalter he had taken from Finnian his friend originally The high king had ruled a “to every cow it’s calf, to every book it’s copy”. He then ordered Columba to return the copy of the Psalter. Columba refused and the ensuing battle of Culdreibhne was the result.)

As some 10,000 people represented by about 30 or 40 warriors in two different colours of uniform lie dead on the map of Ireland. After the battle Columba is seen on the stage viewing this and in great distress. I have written a prayer of regret and repentance to be uttered by Columba at this point which I will get to you soon. 

The sense of forgiveness finally comes when Columba is directed to go off to the outer Hebrides and the Northwest of Scotland to convert as many people to believe in Christ as were killed in the battle. From this time onwards Columba would become a peace maker and reconciler between peoples in repentance for his past sins in promoting violence.

Columba and his monks may then be joined in hymns such as the music version of Psalm 50 (Have mercy on me O Lord and thy great Mercy – Miserere). (Other music or prayers!)

Finally Columba asks his monks and all of us in his beloved city to join him in prayer in the building nearby (the Guildhall). He asks for God’s blessing, guidance and strength to do the work of evangelising that he is called to do.