Gall – the man, the monk, and the bear.
Gall, an Irish monk who was educated at Bangor Monastery, left Bangor for Europe circa 590 with Columbanus and 11 other disciples on a pilgrimage for Christ.
His memory and legacy lives on, not just in Bangor, but in the beautiful city of St Gallen, Switzerland, where he died in 645. Learn all about Gall and what he achieved in his lifetime by attending lectures, walks, cultural events and church services at various venues throughout Bangor.
The Events
Follow the blue underlined links below for full details and ticket booking:
22 Nov / Gall: the man, the monk and the bear
Join Rev’d Canon Michael Parker for a tour of St Gall’s Church and a talk about Gall by Leanne Briggs.
St Gall’s Church, Carnalea, Bangor
23 Nov / Gall Lecture: An Irish Treasure Chest on the Continent
Cornel Dora, director of the Abbey Library, St Gallen, Switzerland a (UNESCO World Heritage Site, will give a lecture on the incredible collection of Irish manuscripts and writings, many of which are attributed to monks in Bangor and Nendrum Monastic Site, that are kept in the magnificent Abbey Library.
SPACE Theatre, Castle Park Road, Bangor
23 Nov / Stained Glass Windows Talk
An illuminated talk about the beautiful stained glass windows of Irish saints and additional modern stained glass windows. (Price includes a booklet on the windows).
St Columbanus Church of Ireland, Ballyholme, Bangor
23 Nov / Columbanus Mass at St Comgall’s Church
Canon Joe Gunn will conduct a special mass to mark the installation of a St Gall relic.
St Comgall’s Church, Brunswick Road, Bangor
23 Nov / Columbanus Cultural Evening and Dinner
A two course dinner followed by music, song and dance provided by award winning Ards CCE traditional Irish musicians, singers and dancers.
Bangor Golf Club, Broadway, Bangor
24 Nov / Bangor Bell Walk
A guided half mile walk from the Bangor Bell to North Down Museum tracing the European journeys of Columbanus and Gall following the Bangor Bell Trail of seven art installations led by Green Badge guides Brigid Watson and Barbara Boyle.
Meet at the Bangor Bell Sculpture, Bangor Abbey, Bangor
24 Nov / United Church Service
A cross-community church service with guest speaker Fr Martin McGill. To support those in need, please bring a Christmas food gift or grocery item which will be distributed by Storehouse, a local food bank.
St Gall’s Church, Carnalea, Bangor
Festival 2023 flyer (PDF)
The link below will download a flyer for this event which may be freely printed and distributed:
The Columbanus Festival has been funded by a Community Festival grant from The Department of Communities and Ards and North Down Council.