Columbanus Festival 20 and 21 November 2021
3rd November 2021
This festival will commemorate the life and legacy of Columbanus. Read on for the full itinerary of workshops, walks and talks...
Ticketed events must be pre-booked.
Calligraphy Workshop for Children
20 November | 11.00am - 1.00pm | Free
Ballyholme Parish Church Hall, Groomsport Road, Bangor
Acclaimed calligrapher Jacquie Brachi will teach basic skills as practised by the Bangor monks in the 6th century.
All materials supplied. Tickets must be pre-booked. Masks must be worn when entering and exiting workshop room and when moving around.
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Nature and Humanity in Irish Monastic Poetry Talk by Zoom
20 November | 11.00am - 12.30pm | Free
Over Loch Laíg waves
yellow-billed song of blackbird
cast from whin blossoms
9th century, translation by Tim Dwyer
Irish monks were likely the first in Europe to write poetic verse in a vernacular language. We will read and discuss their poems, including three believed to have been composed in Bangor or Nendrum. We will review how these poets crafted exquisite images of nature and conveyed deep human feeling and spirituality, ranging from grief to humor and satire. Tim Dwyer will include some of his own translations and his original poems inspired by this rich tradition.
Tim Dwyer’s poetry appears regularly in Irish and UK journals, including Cyphers, Orbis, Poetry Ireland Review and Southword. He is the author of Smithy Of Our Longings (Lapwing Press). Raised in Brooklyn by parents from Galway, he recently moved to Bangor from the U.S. He has long been inspired by Irish monastic poetry.
The Zoom link will be sent to you by email a few days in advance of the lecture.
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Calligraphy Workshop for Adults
20 November 2021 | 2pm - 4pm | £10
Ballyholme Parish Church Hall, Groomsport Road, Bangor
Acclaimed calligrapher Jacquie Brachi will teach basic skills as practised by the Bangor monks in the 6th century.
*All materials supplied. Tickets must be pre-booked. Masks must be worn when entering and exiting workshop room and when moving around.
Find out more
Columbanus Bell Walk
21 November | 1.30pm – 3pm | £6
Meet at the Bangor Bell, Bangor Abbey
This event is part of the Columbanus Festival which commemorates the life and legacy of Columbanus.
Brigid Watson, an experienced and qualified guide, will trace the story of Columbanus from Bangor to Bobbio by following the Bangor Bell Trail. Explanations at each of the Bells will demonstrate the impact that this remarkable monk had on his journey across Europe establishing monasteries in Luxeuil-les-Bains, Bregenz, St Gallen, Milan, and Bobbio. This half-mile walk through the grounds of Castle Gardens will end in the North Down Museum where there is a Christian Heritage Exhibition.
Walkers should wear sturdy shoes and warm, waterproof clothing. Masks must be worn inside the museum.
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