The annual Columbanus Festival will take place from 21st-22 November 2026 in various locations around Bangor, Co Down.

‘This Place, Our Place’, the festival theme, will explore where we come from and where we belong. It will also celebrate Bangor’s most famous son, Columbanus – monk, scholar, and European pioneer.

Deborah Girvan, chairwoman of Friends of Columbanus Bangor, explained, “Columbanus left Bangor in 590AD with 12 disciples, including Gall, on a pilgrimage for Christ. He never forgot this place.

“The influence of the monastic heritage in Bangor and on the island of Ireland still pertains today in the Irish place names that are embedded in our local maps, songs, history, art, streets, roads, townlands, mountains, rivers and lakes.

Deborah Girvan, chairwoman of Friends of Columbanus Bangor, with the Columbanus Window

placeholder image — Deborah Girvan, chairwoman of Friends of Columbanus Bangor, with the Columbanus Window

“For example, the name Bangor comes from the Irish word ‘Beannchar’ which is thought to mean ‘place of points’ or ‘horned curve’, perhaps referring to the shore line of Bangor Bay.

“This sense of place was carried by Columbanus and his followers in the 6th and 7th centuries to continental Europe where his name and legacy lives on in cities, towns and villages not only in Ireland but also in France, Germany, Switzerland, Lichenstein, Luxembourg, Austria, and Italy.

“We look forward to welcoming local people and those from further afield to our Festival to learn more about the work and achievements of this extraordinary man.”

The festival programme includes:

Bangor Abbey, Co Down. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Place of learning: The Columbanus Lecture - ‘A Sense of Place’ by Dr Paul Tempan, a linguist and expert on place-names, who will give an illustrated talk uncovering the hidden Irish meanings of place names in our local area and across Europe.
Place of Saints: Stained Glass Window Tour of Irish Saints: Discover the stories, symbols, and craftsmanship behind the beautiful stained-glass windows in St Columbanus Church of Ireland, Ballyholme, Bangor, including Patrick, Comgall, Columbanus, Brigid, Finnian and Gall.
Place of Pilgrimage: Columbanus Bell Walk: A short, guided walk following the footsteps of Columbanus on his journey from Bangor across northern Europe to Bobbio in Italy.
Place of Worship: Columbanus Ecumenical Service: A special, cross-community service in St Comgall’s Church, Bangor, to celebrate our shared heritage with guest speaker, Sister Ann Gray, Columban Missionaries.

In addition to the publicised programme, Marianne McShane, critically acclaimed story teller and children's books author, will visit Bangor Primary Schools to tell the story of Columbanus and educate children about their local heritage.

For further information on the programme and to book tickets please visit: https://www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/whats-on/columbanus-festival-2026