St. Columba, or Columcille, 521-597 - Short biography. St. Columba, or Columkille - Hagiography. From Alban Butler's Lives of the Saints. Saint Columba, Abbot, Confessor - From the book "Lives of Saints," published by John J. Crawley. Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Columba - Also known as Columcille. Long article on the Irish-born monk, founder and abbot of Iona. He died in 597. Columba, Abbot of Iona and Missionary - Brief biography. With prayer in traditional and contemporary language. Catholic Online: St. Columba - Brief biography. Manx Notebook: St. Columba - Brief illustrated biography. Life of St. Columba - A translation from the Latin. Written by Adamnan. 242K. CatholicSaints.Info: Columba - Also known as Colmcille. Illustrated profile.