This June sees Bangor and Armagh play host to the first “Festival of the Columban Way”, marking the 1400th anniversary of the death of St Columbanus.
The festival will see over 200 pilgrims from Italy visit Northern Ireland in honour of the legacy of St Columbanus. The Saint, who departed from Bangor Abbey around 590, was instrumental in spreading Christianity throughout Europe where he and his followers established settlements and monasteries in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
This two day celebration begins in Bangor on Saturday 20 June with Morning Prayer at Bangor Abbey at 9:30am. Throughout the day there are various activities taking place within the town centre including guided tours, talk on Columbanus, exhibitions and in the evening, Concelebrated Mass at St Comgall’s followed by a concert of traditional music and dance. The services and activities are open to all and free of charge.
Commenting on the event Alex Irvine, Tourism Development Officer for Ards and North Down Borough Council stated, “We are very much looking forward to the event. To be able to welcome so many visitors from Italy, where Columbanus founded his last Abbey, is very special in this the year marking 1400 years since his death”. Father Joe Gunn from St Comgall’s, added, “The fact that we are seeing so many pilgrims visiting Bangor, not just from Italy, but also France and Germany, in this special year is testament to the influence that the Saints from Bangor Abbey and in particular Columbanus played in the development of Christianity in Europe”.
Following Bangor, the Festival moves on to Armagh on Sunday 21st for a Mass of Thanksgiving in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh at 11.00 am. The main celebrant of the Mass will be Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All-Ireland and President of the Irish Episcopal Conference. The homilist will be Fr Neil Collins, SSC. The Relic of St Columbanus will be available after Mass for veneration. Evensong will take place in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh at 3.15 pm. The homilist for the Evensong will be Fr Sean McDonagh, SSC.
For more information on the Festival T: Bangor Visitor Information Centre 028 9127 0069 for information on the Saturday for Armagh events on Sunday 21st please contact Fr Rory Coyle on 028 3752 2802.