Columbanus Festival 2024

Commemorating the life and legacy of Columbanus and Gall

22 - 24 November 2024

A festival of workshops, walks and talks will commemorate the life and legacy of Columbanus and Gall.

This year's festival theme is...

GALL: The man, the monk, and the bear

Gall, an Irish monk who was educated at Bangor Monastery, left Bangor for Europe circa 590 with Columbanus and 11 other disciples on a pilgrimage for Christ.

His memory and legacy lives on, not just in Bangor, but in the beautiful city of St Gallen, Switzerland, where he died in 645. Learn all about Gall and what he achieved in his lifetime by attending lectures, walks, cultural events and church services at various venues throughout Bangor.

Event programme

22 November | Gall: the man, the monk and the bear / 18:30 – 19:30 / Free
St Gall's Church, Carnalea, Bangor | Find out more and book

St Gall's Church is modelled on a Swiss design with beautiful stained glass windows and glass etchings. Rev Canon Michael Parker will give a tour and explain the history of the church and its connection with St Gallen in Switzerland. Local historian, Leanne Briggs will give a talk on Gall who was one of Columbanus' closest companions. She will describe his life as a monk in Bangor before leaving with 11 other disciples and Columbanus in 590AD for Europe on a pilgrimage for Christ. Learn about his journey, his connection with the bear and the legacy he left behind in the beautiful university city of St Gallen, Switzerland.

23 November | Gall Lecture: An Irish Treasure Chest on the Continent / 11:00 – 13:00 / £10
SPACE Theatre, Castle Park Road, Bangor | Find out more and book

Dr Cornel Dora, director of the Abbey Library, St Gallen, Switzerland, will give a lecture on the incredible collection of Irish manuscripts and writings, many of which are attributed to monks in Bangor and Nendrum Monastic Site, that are kept in the magnificent Abbey Library.

Dr Dora was born in 1963 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, and studied English, History and Musical Science at the University of Zurich.  He made his Doctorate in History and afterwards a diploma as Scholarly Librarian BBS. In 2012 he received the title Executive Master in General Business Administration at the Executive School of the University of St. Gallen. (Ticket includes lunch)

23 November | Stained Glass Windows Talk / 14:00 – 15:00 / £6
St Columbanus Church of Ireland, Ballyholme, Bangor | Find out more and book

An illuminating talk by Ronnie McClements from Bangor Historical Society about the beautiful stained-glass windows (Price includes a booklet on the windows).

23 November | Columbanus Mass at St Comgall's Church / 18:00 – 19:30 / All Welcome
St Comgall's Church, Brunswick Road, Bangor | No need to book

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 Saints: Comgall, Columbanus, Gall and Malachy will also be on display.

23 November | Columbanus Cultural Evening and Dinner / 20:00 – 22:30 / £30
Bangor Golf Club, Broadway, Bangor | Find out more and book

A two course dinner followed by music, song and dance provided by award winning Ards CCE traditional Irish musicians, singers and dancers.

Menu
Christmas Dinner: Turkey, ham, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and gravy followed by a trio of desserts.

To advise of any dietary requirements or request a vegetarian or vegan option, please email info@friendsofcolumbanus.co.uk

24 November | Bangor Bell Walk / 13:30 – 15:00 / £5
Meet at the Bangor Bell located beside Bangor Abbey Parish Centre | Find out more and book

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 Queen's University Belfast. The walk will begin at the Bangor Bell public art sculpture and follow an interpretive art trail featuring seven pieces of art that follow the European journey of Columbanus and Gall before finishing at the North Down Museum where walkers can view the Columbanus Exhibition.

24 November | United Church Service / 18:30 – 19:30 / All welcome
St Gall's Church, Carnalea, Bangor | No need to book

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 her death to unite politicians. Like Columbanus and Gall before him, Fr Magill is an active campaigner for peace and reconciliation and has a deep affiliation and concern for care of the planet and nature.

To support those in need, please bring a Christmas food gift or grocery item which will be distributed by Storehouse, a local food bank.

All ticketed events must be booked in advance.

Tickets will be available from:

Bangor Visitor Information Centre - Tower House, 34 Quay Street | T: 028 9127 0069

Ards Visitor Information Centre - 31 Regent Street, Newtownards | T: 028 9182 6846

Or, online via the links in the event information above.

Please note, online booking fees apply. Avoid the booking fee and buy direct through our Visitor Information Centres.

For further information, visit friendsofcolumbanusbangor.co.uk

The Columbanus Festival has received funding by the Department for Communities and Ards and North Down Borough Council.