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A festival of workshops, walks and talks will commemorate the life and legacy of Columbanus and Gall
22 and 23 November 2025
This year's festival theme is...
Place, Words, and Music
In partnership with Carlow County Council, Friends of Columbanus Bangor are proud to present a programme of events which celebrates the rich, shared, monastic heritage on the island of Ireland. The programme has been designed in association with Turus Columbanus, Co Meath, and Friends of Columbanus Myshall, Co Carlow. It has been made possible by a grant from the Creative Ireland programme of the Shared Island Fund. Friends of Columbanus Bangor are delighted that Open House Festival/The Court House, Bangor, is supporting our signature event: Bangor's Ghost: Place, Words, and Music.
A Summary of the Event Programme:
22 November | Columbanus Lecture: 'The making of Ireland's manuscripts, medieval and modern'
11:00 – 13:00 | £10
SPACE Theatre, Castle Road, Bangor
This lecture by Pádraig Ó Macháin, Professor of Modern Irish at University College Cork, will range from Bangor to Cork and examine the relics of a wonderful tradition of writing and craftsmanship by Irish monks from the 6th to the 19th century. (Ticket includes light lunch)
22 November | Calligraphy Workshop for Children
11:00 – 13:00 | Free, pre-booking essential
Ballyholme Parish Centre, Groomsport Road, Bangor
Renowned calligrapher, Jacquie Brachi, will teach basic skills with pen and ink as practised by Bangor monks in the 6th century.
22 November | Calligraphy Workshop for Adults
14:00 – 16:00 | £10
Ballyholme Parish Centre, Groomsport Road, Bangor
Renowned calligrapher, Jacquie Brachi, will teach basic skills with pen and ink as practised by Bangor monks in the 6th century.
22 November | Bangor's Ghost: Place, Words, and Music
19:30 – 22:00 | £15
Bangor Abbey, Abbey Street, Bangor
Award winning singers and songwriters Rachel McCarthy and David Lennon, along with the Bangor Ghost Collective, present a uniquely curated evening of ancient words, songs, and music celebrating place. This event is supported by Open House Festival/The Court House, Bangor.
23 November | Columban Way Walk
13:30 – 15:00 | Free, pre-booking essential
Meet at the Bangor Bell beside Bangor Abbey
This popular half mile walk follows the Bangor Bell Walk to North Down Museum. Local guides Brigid Watson and Barbara Boyle will tell the story of Columbanus' journey from Bangor to Bobbio. After the walk, participants may wish to retire to Coffee Cure at the museum for a cup of coffee or tea.
23 November | Columbanus United Church Service
18:30 – 19:30 | All welcome
St Columbanus Church of Ireland, Ballyholme, Bangor
A cross-community church service led by Canon Simon Doogan to commemorate the 1,410 anniversary of Columbanus who died in Bobbio on 23 November 615.
All denominations are welcome to attend this special service to celebrate the legacy of Columbanus. Representatives from local churches and schools will give readings and prayers.
If attending, please bring a Christmas food gift or a grocery item which will be distributed to those in need through a local Foodbank.
After the service, the congregation will be invited for a cup of tea or coffee in the Ballyholme Parish Hall behind the church.
Parking is available on the Groomsport Road or at the church car park which can be accessed by Grove Park which is off the Donaghadee Road.
No need to book
Ticketing Information
With the exception of Bangor's Ghost and the Columbanus United Church Service, all events can be booked online at visitardsandnorthdown.com, or in person at Bangor or Ards Visitor Centres:
Bangor Visitor Information Centre - Tower House, 34 Quay Street | T: 028 9127 0069
Ards Visitor Information Centre - 31 Regent Street, Newtownards | T: 028 9182 6846
To book Bangor's Ghost please visit www.courthousebangor.com
All ticketed events must be booked in advance | Tickets on sale from Friday 10 October at 1pm | Ticketing will close at 12noon on Friday 21 November.
Please note, online booking fees apply. Avoid the booking fee and buy direct through our Visitor Information Centres. T's and C's apply.
For further information, visit friendsofcolumbanusbangor.co.uk
The Columbanus Festival is brought to you by Friends of Columbanus Bangor working in partnership with Carlow County Council. The festival has received funding from the Shared Island Initiative.
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More Info on Ticketed events...
Part of Columbanus Festival 2025 | Pádraig Ó Macháin, Professor of Modern Irish at University College Cork, will examine the relics of a wonderful tradition of writing and craftsmanship by Irish monks ranging from Bangor to Cork from the 6th to the 19th century. Previously, as Professor at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, he founded the manuscript digitisation project, Irish Script on Screen.- 22 Nov 2025
- Part of the Columbanus Festival 2025 | Award winning singers and songwriters Rachel McCarthy and David Lennon, along with the Bangor Ghost Collective, present a uniquely curated evening of ancient words, songs, and music celebrating place.
- 22 Nov 2025
- Part of the Columbanus Festival 2025 | Renowned calligrapher, Jacquie Brachi, will teach basic skills with pen and ink as practised by Bangor monks in the 6th century.
- 22 Nov 2025
Part of the Columbanus Festival 2025 | Renowned calligrapher, Jacquie Brachi, will teach basic skills with pen and ink as practised by Bangor monks in the 6th century.- 22 Nov 2025
- Part of the Columbanus Festival 2025 | This popular half mile walk follows the Bangor Bell Trail from the Bangor Bell to the North Down Museum. Local tour guides Brigid Watson and Barbara Boyle will tell the story of Columbanus’ journey from Bangor to Bobbio.
- 23 Nov 2025
More that might be of interest...
- Experience the area's rich and diverse history as you journey on the Columban Way Heritage Trail, a heritage trail between Comber and Bangor covering 20 miles (32 km).
- The Ards and North Down Christian Heritage Trail incorporates a number of key sites across the Borough that played an important role in the spread of Christianity not only locally and in Ireland but throughout Europe too.
Northern Ireland is home to many stories, myths, and legends, with Ards and North Down laying claim to a fair few of its own. Ruined castles, holy wells, abbeys and military forts where tales of Bronze Age communities, Vikings, early Christian and Ulster-Scots heritage, and the role of this area in the Great Wars, are here to be discovered.
Founded in 558AD the main body of the building dates from 1830's, the tower from 15th century and steeple dates around 1693. Interesting gravestones include a memorial to the assistant surgeon of the Titanic, local man John Edward Simpson.- Visit North Down Museum to explore the fascinating saga of the North Down area from the Bronze Age to the present day. The Museum takes you on a journey through Early Christian heritage and the Vikings to Scottish Settlers and the Victorians.
- 1 Jan 202531 Dec 2025
- It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Varieties of flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables mix with sculptures and a unique fountain with a tongue twister! We are thrilled that the Walled Garden is now open all year round (except on particular holidays). Please see opening hours.
- Stroll through this beautiful wooded wonderland which is an exhilarating experience throughout the seasons.
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