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.
The Events
Follow the blue underlined links below for full details and ticket booking:
22 Nov / The making of Ireland’s manuscripts, medieval and modern
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)
11:00 – 13:00 / SPACE Theatre, Castle Road, Bangor
22 Nov / Calligraphy Workshop for Children
Renowned calligrapher, Jacquie Brachi, will teach basic skills with pen and ink as practised by Bangor monks in the 6th century.
11:00 – 13:00 / Ballyholme Parish Centre, Groomsport Road, Bangor
22 Nov / Calligraphy Workshop for Adults
Renowned calligrapher, Jacquie Brachi, will teach basic skills with pen and ink as practised by Bangor monks in the 6th century.
14:00 – 16:00 / Ballyholme Parish Centre, Groomsport Road, Bangor
Bangor’s Ghost: Place, Words, and Music
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.
19:30 -22:00 / Bangor Abbey, Abbey Street, Bangor
Columban Way Walk
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 Café Cure for a cup of coffee or tea.
13:30 – 15:00 / Meet at the Bangor Bell Sculpture, Bangor Abbey, Bangor
23 Nov / Columbanus United Church Service
A cross-community church service officiated by Canon Simon Doogan of St Columbanus Church of Ireland. To support those in need, please bring a Christmas food gift or grocery item which will be distributed by a local food bank.
18:30 – 19:30 / St Columbanus Church of Ireland, Ballyholme, Bangor
Festival 2025 flyer (PDF)
The link below will download a flyer for this event which may be freely printed and distributed: