21st – 22nd November 2026 Bangor
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 in Ireland but also in France, Germany, Switzerland, Lichenstein, Luxembourg, Austria, and Italy.
Follow the blue underlined links below for full details and ticket booking:
Columbanus Lecture:
A Sense of Place
This talk deals with places connected with St Columbanus and early Christianity in Ireland. The origin of these place names gives us insights into the transition from paganism to Christianity and life in early medieval Ireland. It will also discuss some of the places in continental Europe where Columbanus and his disciples founded churches and monasteries. The lecture will be delivered by Dr Paul Tempan, a linguist and expert on place-names who was a researcher on the Northern Ireland Place-Name Project (2006 – 2013).
Ticket £10 (includes a light lunch)
21 November 11:00 – 13:00
SPACE Theatre, Castle Park Road, Bangor
Stained-Glass Window Tour
Adeline Cully, a qualified tour guide and Jonny Watson, Curate at St Columbanus Church of Ireland, will give an explanation of the beautiful stained-glass windows of Irish Saints including the Bangor Saints – Comgall, Columbanus, Gall, and Malachy.
Ticket £6 (includes a booklet of the windows)
21 November 14:00 – 15:30
St Columbanus Church of Ireland, Ballyholme, 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 will have an opportunity to view the Columbanus Exhibition in the North Down Museum.
22 November 13:30 – 15:00
Meet at the Bangor Bell beside Bangor Abbey
Columbanus Ecumenical Church Service
All welcome. A cross-community church service to commemorate the life of Columbanus with guest speaker Sister Ann Gray, Columbanus Missionaries. To support those in need, please bring a Christmas food gift or grocery item which will be distributed by a local food bank.
22 November 19:00 – 20:00
St Comgall’s Church, Brunswick Road, Bangor
Festival 2026 flyer (PDF)
The link below will download a flyer for this event which may be freely printed and distributed: