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 […]

Ireland and St Gallen in Early Medieval Europe Experience the magic of metal, stone and manuscript art from Ireland’s Golden Age in this unique exhibition of early medieval treasures at the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare St. Explore extraordinary journeys of people, books and ideas between medieval Ireland and Europe. Immerse yourself in precious manuscripts […]

Postponed – owning to weather forecast for Saturday We will find another date for this walk. A guided 5 mile walk from Newcastle following the coastline to Murlough Bay and on to Dundrum where we will have lunch. This will be followed by a visit to Dundrum Castle. Travel either by public transport or car […]

Carlow proudly hosts the XXVI Columbanus Day celebration from July 11th to 13th, 2025. This significant occasion honours St. Columbanus, one of Ireland’s most influential early missionaries, recognised for his contributions to the spiritual and cultural foundation of Europe. Columbanus was born in Carlow, in the shadow of the Blackstairs Mountains.   carlow tourism WEBSITE This annual […]

The Friends of Columbanus Bangor invite you to join them for a Peace Walk on Saturday, the 20th September at 2:00 PM, beginning at Helen’s Bay beach Car Park and following the Coastal Path to Bangor. The walk will conclude at Bangor Abbey Parish Centre, where light refreshments will be served and information will be […]

Part of the Columbanus Festival 2025 Ballyholme Parish Centre, Groomsport Road, Bangor Renowned calligrapher, Jacquie Brachi, will teach basic skills with pen and ink as practised by Bangor monks in the 6th century. Calligraphy is the art of beautiful and expressive handwriting, using a pen, brush, or other instrument to create harmonious lettering. It differs from regular […]

Part of the Columbanus Festival 2025 Ballyholme Parish Centre, Groomsport Road, Bangor Renowned calligrapher, Jacquie Brachi, will teach basic skills with pen and ink as practised by Bangor monks in the 6th century. Calligraphy is the art of beautiful and expressive handwriting, using a pen, brush, or other instrument to create harmonious lettering. It differs from regular […]

Part of the Columbanus Festival 2025 Bangor Abbey, Abbey Street, Bangor 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. In the mid-6th century, Comgall established a monastery in Bangor where his prodigy, Columbanus, served […]

Part of the Columbanus Festival 2025 Meet at Bangor Bell Sculpture, beside Bangor Abbey Parish car park, Bangor, BT20 4JF This popular half mile walk follows the Bangor Bell Trail from the Bangor Bell to the North Down Museum.  Local tour guides Brigid Watson and Barbara Boyle will tell the story of Columbanus’ journey from […]

St Columbanus Church of Ireland, Ballyholme, BangorA cross-community church service led by Canon Simon Doogan to commemorate the 1,410 anniversary of Columbanus who died in Bobbio on 23 November 615. All denominations are welcome to attend this special service to celebrate the legacy of Columbanus.  Representatives from local churches and schools will give readings and […]

Members are invited to the Friends of Columbanus Bangor Annual General Meeting which will take place on Monday 23 Febuary 2026 in Bangor City Presbyterian Church, Main Streeet, Bangor, 7.00pm – 8.30pm. Getting There