The Colmcille project was conceived during the Portrush Traditional Boat Rally of September 1996 when Robin Ruddock shared his vision of how the 1400th anniversary of St. Colmcille's death might be commemorated in a unique way. The vision, which involved retracing the seafaring Saint's epic voyage by curragh to Iona, was shared by a sufficient number of interested members of the Causeway Coast Maritime Heritage Group to enable planning of the first Colmcille expedition.

The curragh Colmcille was commissioned, built and sea tested in 1997. Crews were then assembled and trained, finance was raised and press coverage obtained. An extensive education pack was circulated to schools in Northern and Southern Ireland, Argylle and Bute. With awareness of the project established on both sides of the North Channel, events reached their zenith on 9th June 1997 when, following a service in St. Columb's Cathedral in Londonderry, the crew of 14 oarsmen and women set off by curragh on the 135 mile voyage to Iona, under the direction of skipper Robin Ruddock. Despite being stormbound on Rathlin and having to row to a tough schedule, the boat and its crew successfully reached Iona 6 days later to recount tales of foul weather and wonderful encounters with minke whales, seals and otters.

The aims of this voyage - the establishment of a community spirit amongst the crew and the communication of some positive aspects of Northern Irish life - were achieved and reinforced later that summer. In July a return crew, including some of the people who had accomplished the outward journey, left Portrush by fishing boat one Friday night. They arrived in Iona at dawn the next morning and, after retrieving the curragh from its boat house, making appropriate preparations by having a 'shake-down' row to Staffa island, set off on a challenging week's rowing and sailing back to Ireland.

This journey was instrumental in bringing the spirit of Colmcille to the crew itself and to many Scottish and Irish coastal communities who, generously and selflessly, made church halls, local restaurant floors, pubs, food and other resources available to the Colmcille travellers.