The annual Columbanus Festival: Place Words and Music will take place from 22nd to 23rd November 2025 in various locations around Bangor. The programme will focus on the work of the monks who lived in Bangor during the time that Columbanus spent twenty years of his life before embarking on a journey to the continent in 590 on a pilgrimage for Christ.
Deborah Girvan, Chairwoman of Friends of Columbanus Bangor explained, “In 555, Comgall founded a monastery in Bangor which went on to become the greatest monastic school in Ulster. The monks were learned men who could read and write and spent a lot of time writing sermons, scriptures, psalms and hymns with a quill (pointed feather) and ink on vellum (prepared calfskin). With this theme in mind, we are delighted that Professor Pádraig Ó Macháin from University College Cork, will give the keynote lecture entitled, ‘The making of Ireland’s manuscripts, medieval and modern’ which will examine the relics of a wonderful tradition of writing and craftmanship by Irish monks from the 6th to 19th Century”.
In addition, calligraphy workshops for children and adults will teach basic writing skills with pen and ink.
The entertainment highlight of the festival is Bangor’s Ghost, featuring critically acclaimed local singers and songwriters Rachel McCarthy and David Lennon who, along with the Bangor Ghost Collective, will present a uniquely curated evening of ancient words, songs and music celebrating place. In the week leading up to the festival, award winning storyteller, Marianne McShane, will visit local Primary Schools to help spread the word about Columbanus to a younger generation.
The final events include a Columbanus Walk and a cross-community church service which this year will be held in St Columbanus Church of Ireland, Ballyholme. We hope that the people of Bangor and the Borough will take this opportunity to attend our festival events and learn more about our incredible monastic heritage.”
Stained glass windows in St Columbanus Church of Ireland, Ballyholme, Bangor
The Columbanus Festival has been made possible by a partnership arrangement between Carlow County Council and Friends of Columbanus Bangor with a grant from the Creative Ireland programme of the Shared Island Initiative. The event it also supported by the Court House and Ards and North Down Borough Council.
For the full programme details and to book tickets, please go to: