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Commemorating the Life and Legacy of Columbanus and Gall
Brought to you by Friends of Columbanus Bangor
21 and 22 November 2026
This year's festival theme is...
This Place, Our Place
The influence of the monastic heritage in Bangor and on the island of Ireland still pertains today in the Irish place names that are embedded in our local maps, songs, history, art, streets, roads, townlands, mountains, rivers and lakes. This sense of place was carried by Columbanus and his followers in the 6th and 7th centuries to continental Europe where his name and legacy lives on in cities, towns and villages not only on the island of Ireland but also in France, Germany, Switzerland, Lichenstein, Luxembourg, Austria, and Italy.
Event Programme:
21 November | Columbanus Lecture: 'A Sense of Place'
11:00 – 13:00 | £10pp - Pre-booking essential
SPACE Theatre, Castle Road, Bangor
This talk deals with places connected with St Columbanus and early Christianity in Ireland and Continental Europe. It will be delivered by Dr Paul Tempan, a linguist and expert on Irish place-names who was a researcher on the Northern Ireland Place-Name Project (2006 – 2013)
21 November | Stained Glass Windows Tour
14:00 – 15:30 | £6pp - Pre-booking essential
St Columbanus Church of Ireland, Ballyholme, Bangor
An illuminating talk about the beautiful stained-glass windows illustrating Irish saints and some additional modern windows.
22 November | Columban Way Walk
13:30 – 15:00 | £6pp - 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.
22 November | Columbanus Ecumenical Church Service
19:00 – 20:00 | All welcome | No need to book
St Comgall's Church, Brunswick Road, Bangor
All denominations are welcome to attend this special cross-community service to commemorate and celebrate the life of Columbanus. Representatives from local churches and schools will give readings and prayers.
This year our guest speaker will be Sister Ann Gray, Missionary Sisters of Columban. Sister Ann served as a lay missionary in Sierra Leone and as a missionary sister in Hong Kong. She now works in Ireland, developing congregational spirituality.
Parking is available in the church car park behind St Comgall’s Church, Brunswick Road.
To support those in need, please bring a Christmas food gift or grocery item which will be distributed by a local food bank.
Ticketing Information
With the exception of the Columbanus Ecumenical 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
All ticketed events must be booked in advance | Tickets on sale soon | Ticketing will close at 12noon on Friday 20 November.
Please note, online booking fees apply. Avoid the booking fee and buy direct through our Visitor Information Centres. T&C's apply.
For further information, email info@friendsofcolumbanusbangor.co.uk or visit friendsofcolumbanusbangor.co.uk
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