The annual Columbanus Festival to commemorate the life and legacy of Columbanus has been hailed  a great success.  The bell themed programme attracted people from both within and from outside the Borough with over 750 taking part in the weekend programme.

The videos of the keynote lecture Early Irish Hand-Bells Revisited from the 2023 Columbanus Festival are now on-line to view at the link below.

On Thursday  21st September 2023 I embarked on my own pilgrimage journey from Bangor to Bobbio. I was invited to participate in the European Heritage Weekend organised by Manuela Bertoncini, along with Derry Healy, Dr Alexander O’Hara, Beatriz Devicenteferri, Lettizia Roverere and Catriona McEhlynney Grimes.  The purpose of my visit was twofold: as a member…

On the 15th September 2023 a group from Bangor Friends of Columbanus travelled to Downpatrick to visit the County Down Museum and the newly updated visitor galleries in the St Patrick’s Centre. FoCB member and former Director of the Down Museum, Mike King, led a fascinating tour of the Museum including giving a detailed explanation…

Friends of Columbanus Bangor welcomed 43 members of Les Amis Breton de Columban to Bangor on Sunday 10 September.  After mass at St Comgall’s Church, Father Gunn gave a talk on the icons of the Bangor Saints before inviting them for tea and biscuits in the Paish Hall where they were entertained by Ards CCE…

Friends of Columbanus Bangor are continuing their campaign to lobby politicians from Northern Ireland political parties to gain support for the development of the Columban Way. Deborah Girvan, Chairwoman of Friends of Columbanus Bangor said, “In the last few weeks we have met Harry Harvey, DUP MLA for Strangford, and members of Sinn Fein including…