Colman was a native of Dalriada, born roughly a generation after Patrick's apostolate to Ireland,[1] and was baptized by a bishop, bearing his own name who was also his uncle.
It is believed that Colman was educated at the monastic foundation at Nendrum, on the shores of Strangford Lough, which had been established by Saint Caolán (Mochaoi) sometime earlier.
[3] Tradition has it that Caolán was so impressed with Colman's potential as a Christian apostle and with his charism for performing miracles that he sent him to visit various other monasteries so that he might learn from the religious practices and forms of community life he would encounter there and enjoy the opportunity of more extensive learning, especially in Holy Scripture.
At length he returned to Mahee Island to see his old master, St. Mochae, and remained under his guidance for a long period, acting as assistant in the school.
[5] Colman set up a small wattle and daub church on this site around 514, probably thatched with reeds from the River Lagan which flows beside it.