The missionary advent of Columba, or in his own native language, _Calum_, on the south-western shores of the Highlands constitutes one of the earliest and chief dates of our national history. The evangelical succession of his Christianity has been traced in two directions. One source has been already touched upon, the Church of Ninian from which Patrick went forth to evangelize the north of Ireland. The mother home of this branch of Celtic Christianity was undoubtedly Ninian’s celebrated monastery of Rosnat, which is mentioned under several designations, of which “Candida Casa” is the best known. Other names are the “Magnum Monasterium,” “Alba” and “Futerna,” the latter being the Gaelic equivalent for the Anglic “Whithern.” Abbots and bishops trained in this renowned monastery laboured in Ulster; and founded monasteries there. The last of this family of ecclesiastics was Finian of the race of Dal Fiatach. This is acknowledged to be the first channel through which Monachism was introduced into Ireland, the personal links in the communication being Martin of Tours and Ninian. The second channel, as well shown by Dr Skene, was through Bretagne and Wales, the personal links in this case being “David, Gillas, and Docus, the Britons,” otherwise David, the patron saint of the Welsh, Gildas, the historian, and Cadoc, the founder of Llancarvan in South Wales. Finian, an Irish Pict, repaired to the monastery of Kilmuine, or Manavia, in Wales, and became the pupil of these three distinguished men; and on his return to Ireland founded in course of time the well-known monastery of Clonard in Meath, the Gaelic _Cluainerard_, where no less than three thousand monks are supposed to have been at one time under training. This became the source of living Christianity in the south-west of Ireland after the time of Patrick. Finian had twelve followers of celebrated name, who have been designated the twelve Apostles of Ireland. Their names run as follow:— 1. _Ciaran_, the founder of the Saighir monastery in Munster. 2. _Ciaran_, called “Mac-an-t-Saoir,” the “Artificer’s son,” founder of Clonmacnois, in King’s County, in 548. 3. _Columba_, son of Crimthan of Leinster, founder of Tirrdaglas in 548. 4. _Mobhi Clairenach_, founder of Glasnevin, in Fingall. 5. _Ninnidh_, of Loch Erne. 6. _Brendan_, of Birr. 7. _Brendan_, of the seven years’ voyage, founder of Clonfert. 8. _Laisren_ or _Molaisse_, of Devenish. 9. _Ruadhan_, of Lothra. 10. _Senell_, of Cluain-innis. 11. _Cainnech_, of Achabo. 12. _Columba_, of Iona. With the exception of Brendan of Birr, Cainnech of Achabo, and the great Finian himself, who were of the Erinic race, all these were of the Gaelic race.