St Columba Heritage Centre
Museum and heritage centre beside St Columba's Church in Derry, telling 1,500 years of Columba's story and medieval Derry.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
St Columba Heritage Centre, also known by its Irish name Áras Cholmcille, stands beside St Columba's Church in Long Tower Street, Derry. Its site is linked to Columba, who according to the centre founded a church here in the sixth century. The present church, built in the 1780s, stands on the site of an older place of worship.
The centre presents itself as the only museum in the city dedicated to Columba. It tells about 1,500 years of history and culture, following the saint from his birth in Donegal to the founding of a monastic settlement in Derry and his exile to Iona, and looking at the medieval history of Derry and its links to illuminated manuscripts. It is housed in a restored nineteenth-century school building.
The centre also offers an audio tour of the church narrated by the local bishop and guided tours of the church, the round tower and literary heritage of Derry, and the Pilgrim Path. A cafe operates in the basement.
Highlights
- Exhibition on St Columba and medieval Derry
- Audio tour of the ornate church in English, Irish and Italian
- Guided tours including the Pilgrim Path
- Cloisters Cafe and gift shop on site
Permanent exhibition
- St Columba Heritage Centre exhibition – About 1,500 years of history and culture centred on St Columba and medieval Derry, with links to illuminated manuscripts.
- Founded
- 2014
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £2.50 |
|---|---|
| Audio tour of St Columba's Church (English, Irish or Italian) | £2.50 |
| Combined heritage centre entry and audio tour | £4 |
Prices as listed by Visit Derry for the 2026 season.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The centre states that disabled access and toilets are available. Check with the centre for details before visiting.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Cloisters Cafe is in the basement of the same building, with views over the Bogside and Brandywell. A souvenir and gift shop is on site.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (EN, GA, IT) |
| Good to know | Guided tours are booked through the website: Inside the City's Most Ornate Church (about 1 hour 20 minutes), Round Tower and Literary Tour (about 1 hour 30 minutes) and The Pilgrim Path (about 1 hour 20 minutes). The church is a working place of worship. |
