Laa Columb Killey 2011

Laa Columb Killey History

"LAA COLUMB KILLEY" means ST. COLUMBA'S DAY (or literally) the Day of the Church of St. Columba. In ancient times the Festival was observed on the anniversary of the day on which St. Columba died on the steps of the Altar in the Cathedral of lona, viz. Whit Sunday, 597. It was customary that the service in the Church (Arbory Church being dedicated to St. Columba) should be followed by public games and rejoicings, and when the people were thus gathered together they availed themselves of the opportunity of doing a "bit of business" in the Churchyard. This it is stated, was the origin of our Manx fairs. In the course of time it was forbidden to hold gatherings in the Churchyards and they were afterwards held on the village "Green" (common land). After 1752, when the New Calendar Act came into operation, the old style was observed in keeping the Fairs in the Island, and Columba's Fair - styled "Ballabeg Fair" in later days - was accordingly held on the 22nd June. In later years, the Festival has been revived, and is now always held on the Thursday nearest the above date.