Ards and North Down Borough Council, with support and funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, are delighted to announce the launch of the “The White Dove”, a comic telling the story of Bangor’s most famous Saint, Columbanus.
The publication is aimed at school children and in particular those in Key Stage 2 who as part of the curriculum learn all about their local history.
The story sets the scene from Pagan Ireland and the arrival of Patrick before focusing on the foundation of Bangor Abbey by Comgall and the travels of Columbanus and his companions including Gall.
The comic provides a new and innovative way of telling the story of the history and importance Bangor played in the spread of Christianity, not just domestically but throughout Europe, in countries such as France, Switzerland and Italy by establishing monastic settlements.
With the project now complete Heather Curran, Education Officer for Ards and North Down Borough Council commented, “We are delighted with the comic. It is a new perspective with which to tell the story of the areas early Christian Heritage. The comic has been received positively by the schools and pupils that have visited the museum over the past few weeks and we look forward to rolling them out to schools across the Borough”.
Heritage Lottery Fund commented “It is exciting to see North Down taking such an innovative approach in the promotion of the story of St Columbanus to children through the production of this superb comic. We are delighted to give our support and wish the council well as it continues to develop this project.”
The comic has been just one of a number of projects being developed by the Council with Heritage Lottery funding, including Christian Heritage Trail App available free on Apple and Android platforms, in this important year that marks the 1400th anniversary of the death of St Columbanus. A year of commemoration that will culminate in a number of events, including concerts, talks and services over the weekend of 20-22 November.
Copies of the comic or are available for collection from Ards and North Down Borough Council by contacting Bangor Visitor Information Centre on 028 9127 0069 or emailing bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.