The Bishop of Derry led tonight’s celebrations marking the Feast Day of St Columba, the patron saint of Derry.

Following 7.30pm Mass in St Columba’s Church, lone piper Jim O’Hagan led a procession of several hundred people to the Well in St Columb’s Wells for the blessing of the water by Bishop Donal McKeown.

Among those who took part was Sinn Fein Foyle MLA, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

Afterwards entertainment, attended by the new DUP Mayor of Derry Hilary McClintock. Took place in the nearby Aras Cholmcille Centre.

The event was recorded by Blue Mountain Productions for a programme about life in the city to be screened later in the year on Channel 4.

The programme is to hosted by Ardal O’Hanlon, of Fr Ted fame.

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