Getting to the Event
Bangor is approximately a 20-minute drive from Belfast and 2 hours from Dublin.
Ards and North Down is very well connected by land, sea and air with major airports and seaports close by.
- By car | Do you plan to drive to the event? Allow plenty of time for your journey. If you are travelling by car follow directional road signs to Bangor City Centre, and check out what car parking is available in the city (free and charged). Car parking | Ards and North Down Borough Council. Additional car parking will be available from 8am-7pm at Glenlola Collegiate - 2 Valentine Rd, Bangor BT20 4TH, and Bethany Baptist Church - 27 Gransha Road, Bangor BT20 4TN
- Public Transport | The nearest rail and bus station is Bangor, located in the City Centre, approx 10 minute walk from the seafront down/up a slight incline. For more information on Translink timetables and fares please visit www.translink.co.uk or call the Contact Centre on +44 (0) 28 9066 6630.
Free Shuttle Bus Service
Please note the Shuttle Bus service will only run on Saturday 1 August.
Supporting The 73rd Ulster Pipe Band Championships and Bangor Beats and Rhythms on 1 August 2026, a dedicated shuttle will run between Balloo Park & Ride and Bangor City Centre.
Shuttle Bus Drop Off and Collection Points
The shuttle will stop at the following locations, serving both event sites:
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Bangor Hospital bus stop, Grasha Road — ideal for the 73rd Ulster Pipe Band Championships event
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Bloomfield Shopping Centre - situated outside the shopping centre along Bloomfield Road South.
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NIE Building, Balloo Road (Park and Ride)
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Elim Church Car Park, Balloo Road (Park and Ride)
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Bangor Bus Station
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Mills Road, Bingham Street — Ideal for Bangor Beats and Rhythms
Car Park Closures
Holborn Avenue
Holborn Avenue Car Park will be closed from 17:00 on Friday 31 July to facilitate Bangor Beats and Rhythms event setup.
The car park will reopen at 17:00 on Sunday 2 August.
Sports Pavilion Car Park, Gransha Road closed from 17:00 on Friday 31 July to facilitate 73rd Ulster Pipe Band Championships event setup.
The car park will reopen at approximately 19:00 on Saturday 1 August.
Details subject to change
