An evening of words, music and song to celebrate the legacy of Columbanus. Learn about the story of Columbanus, poetry and writings of the monastic scribes, and join a session of foot tapping, traditional Irish music provided by special guests Ards CCE musicians. Maire Foley, a member of Friends of Columbanus Bangor, will give a […]
Experienced and qualified tour guides Bridget Watson and Barbara Boyle will lead a guided walk tracing the footsteps of Columbanus from Bangor to Bobbio following the Bangor Bell Trail, starting from Bangor Abbey car park. This is a short walk of around 500 metres on flat ground. Walkers should prepare for the outdoor weather and […]
This will be a cross-community, united Church Service to commemorate the life of Columbanus. Representatives of Presbyterian, Catholic, Church of Ireland and Methodist churches will take part in the service. Guest Speaker is Brother Thierry Marteaux OSB (Order of St Benedict), Holy Cross Abbey, Rostrevor Everyone is welcome to attend this cross- community church service. […]
Bangor Carnegie Library For opening times please see the Library Website After the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West, Europeans built on its foundations to develop their own culture and identity. The Irish played an important role in this great enterprise. Columbanus and his followers, including Gall, were the first of the Irish […]
Dr Damian Bracken, University College Cork, one of the curators of the ‘Ireland and the Birth of Europe’ exhibition, will give a talk on the exhibition theme. After the talk, a cup of tea will be served and there will be an opportunity to view the exhibition. To assist with catering arrangements, please let us […]
Join Reverend Canon Michael Parker for a tour of St Gall’s Church followed by a talk about Gall by local historian Leanne Briggs. St Gall’s Church is modelled on a Swiss design with beautiful stained glass windows and glass etchings. Rev Michael Parker will give a tour and explain the history of the church and […]
Dr Cornel Dora, director of the Abbey Library, St Gallen, Switzerland, will give a lecture on the incredible collection of manuscripts and writings, many of which are attributed to Bangor and Nendrum Monastic Site on Mahee Island, that are kept in the magnificent Abbey Library. From 1993 to 2001 Dr Cornel Dora worked as a […]
An illuminating talk by Ronnie McClements from Bangor Historical Society about the beautiful stained-glass windows St Columbanus Church, Ballyholme, is architecturally rich, being built from a unique stone taken from Roxborough Castle in Moy, Co Tyrone. There is a wonderful collection of stained glass windows representing Irish Saints: Columbanus, Columba, Finnian, Comgall, Gall, Patrick, Brigid […]
In July 2023, Canon Joe Gunn, the parish priest of St Comgall’s Church, Bangor, was presented with a relic of St Gall at a memorable service in the historic St Gallen Cathedral, Switzerland. This special mass will mark the installation of the St Gall relic in St Comgall’s Church. The beautiful icons of the Bangor […]
A two course dinner followed by traditional Irish music, song and dance performed by award winning Ards CCE. Back by popular demand, the cultural evening will begin with a short introduction about Gall, followed by a two course dinner in the fully licensed Bangor Golf Club. The dinner will be turkey, ham, roast potatoes, seasonal […]
A guided half mile walk tracing the footsteps of Columbanus and Gall on their epic journey across Europe from Bangor to Bobbio through seven pieces of art Enjoy a short, leisurely walk along the Bangor Bell Trail with Green Badge Guide holders, Brigid Watson of Sustainable Journeys Ireland and Barbara Boyle, P/T tourism lecturer at […]
A cross-community church service with guest speaker Fr Martin Magill the parish priest at St John the Evangelist on the Fall’s Road, Belfast. Fr Magill’s speech at the funeral of murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne’s Cathedral on 24 April 2019, received sustained applause and a standing ovation when he asked why it took […]
