Truth Triumphant - Benjamin G. Wilkinson

After he sailed from his beloved Derry, with
about two hundred of his companions, he was
tempted to locate on a near-by island, when he
discovered that from its highlands he could discern
the coasts of Ireland. He then gave the word to sail
on. He finally chose the small island of Iona,
whose native name was Hy, having the large island
of Mull lying between it and the mainland.[14]
Here he and his company disembarked in 563. In
all probability, the lord of the island of Mull, being
a relative of his, granted to him ownership of Iona.
His followers held the island for six hundred fortyone
years, until they were driven out of it in 1204
by the Benedictine monks.[15]
Pioneering in all its aspects was the story of
Iona. Dwellings had to be built; crops had to be
planted. In the settlement of Iona and of other
centers founded by Columba and his disciples,
apparently no effort was made for pomp and
ostentation. These simple missionaries allowed no
entanglements either in politics or worldly affairs
to hinder them from obeying the heavenly vision.
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