Inscribed stone, Longtower Church

Image: © Kenneth Allen Taken: 1 Aug 2012

The following text is included in the description, " D.O.M. The ground on which you stand is holy. Here Columba said his first Mass in Derry on August 545. Never since has Mass ceased to be offered on this spot. Here stood Columbkille's Dubh-Regles . Here was his Round Tower. Here his little cell. Here he had frequent visions of the Angels and at least one Apparation of Our Lord) Here O'Brolcain erected in 1154 the Templemore after its destruction in 1568, Mass continued to be said within the ruins and afterwards under the Hawthorn Tree till in 1766 Dr Lynch rebuilt part of the old Long Tower, enlarged in 1825 by Bishop O'Donnell. It was further enlarged in 1902 to its present dimensions. Entirely rebuilt and permanently decorated by Rev. William Doherty Adm. who was enabled to do so through the generosity of Chevalier Hannigan KSC and the pious and faithful people. The Long Tower was dedicated on 30th May 1909 by Cardinal Logue and Bishop Charles McHugh, assisted by the Bishops of Down and Connor, Dromore, Kilmore, Raphoe and Johannesburg. Deo Gratias." D.O.M. is short for Deo Optimo Maximo (To God, the best, the greatest). KSC is a Knight of St Columbanus...a Catholic men's organisation In GB it is the Knights do St Columba In USA it is the Knights of Columbus St Columbanus is a different saint to Columba (otherwise Colmcille). Columbanus took Christianity back into Europe from Ireland after the dark ages founding monasteries as far away as Bobbio in Italy. He also visited Rome. Pictured here Image]

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