Friday November 21st will see Bangor Abbey play host to a concert to kick off a weekend of events to celebrate Bangor’s most famous Saint, Columbanus.
Following on the back of the success of 2013, this year’s concert is packed with fabulous acts both local and international.
Local group, The Farriers, will return to Bangor Abbey, a venue they can almost start calling home after a sold out concert as part of the Bangor Open House Festival. The group will be delighting the audience in performing their unique and authentic blend of folk & Americana.
Also performing on the night are; The McGinn sisters a trio of siblings who play harp, fiddle and flute/whistle have won many awards. Their mix of music some of which is self-penned, weaves and darts throughout the Irish tradition. Their playing reflects the intuition and subtlety that is achieved when siblings perform.
David McCann is one of Bangor’s finest singer/songwriters and a very talented guitarist. Either solo or with his band “The Sand Runners”, he has impressed audiences throughout Ireland with his sensitive and introspective songs.
David Lennon, a stalwart of the local music scene for over 30 years, has a rich repertoire of traditional songs. An award winning songwriter from the 1980s, he has performed both as a solo musician and group member throughout Europe. He was recently heard on Radio Four singing “The White Dove – song of Columbanus”.
Described by RTE as “the best of Irish culture” and back by popular demand, are Ards Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. This group of young musicians tutored by husband and wife team Niall and Bronagh McClean, are yearly sought by festival organisers throughout the UK, Europe and now America. Having headlined the Aviles Festival, Spain and the Bath Folk Festival this summer, 2015 sees them booked to play in New York during the St Patrick’s Day Celebrations and in August in Bobbio, Italy to play at the Basilicia of St Columbanus.
Performing alongside Ards CCE will be, The Smyth sisters a trio of award winning festival dancers with a rich family pedigree. Their eldest sister Lauren, is the lead dancer with River Dance whilst older brother Conor is the lead in Michael Flately’s production of “Lord of the Dance”. This is festival dancing at its very best.
Adding a unique twist to this year’s concert will be Marianne McShane, a native of Bangor but now residing in America, Marianne is an award winning story teller who mesmerised audiences with her ancient tales during the Bangor Cross Community Folk Festival in June 2014. It is a privilege to welcome her back to Bangor for this event.
The theme of the concert and weekend is, “Journey of a Single Day”, a title to reflect the work of Columbanus and his fellow Bangor Saints, including Gall, who departed Bangor circa 590AD and spread the word of Christianity throughout much of modern day Europe including, France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
The events are taking place on the Feast Day weekend of St Columbanus and are echoed across those European sites where Columbanus left his legacy.
Other events taking place over the weekend include;
On Saturday 22nd at St Comgall’s Parish Church, Brunswick Road, Bangor, a special children’s story telling event, from 2-3pm, with international story teller Marianne McShane, along with two historical talks focusing on Columbanus and Ireland’s Early Christian Heritage. Lectures run from 12noon-1pm & 2pm-3pm.
On Sunday 23rd there will be an Ecumenical Church service held in First Bangor Presbyterian Church, Main Street, Bangor at 7pm.
For concert tickets, priced only £10, and more information on the weekends programme, contact Bangor Visitor Information Centre on 028 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk or log on to northdowntourism.com for more details.