The Columban Way, Bangor, Luxeuil, Bobbio thecolumbanway.com

The Columban Way,
Bangor, Luxeuil, Bobbio
thecolumbanway.com
Volume 1, Issue 1
January 2016
Columbanus 1400, 2015, a year of celebration
Columbanus, or
Columban, was born in
Leinster around the year
543.
Inside this issue:
An introduction
to the year of
Columbanus
1
The Columban
Way
Organisation
2
Bangor’s Year of
Celebration
3
Luxeuill-les-Bains 7
A Year of
Celebration
Bobbio’s Year of
Celebration
Useful Contacts
and Further
Information
After dedicating his life to
Christianity he travelled
north and studied on
Cleenish Island,
Fermanagh under Sinell.
From here he would
move on to Bangor and
the great centre of
learning that was Bangor
Abbey, founded in 558 by
Comgall.
It was around 591 that
Comgall finally granted
Columbanus the
permission he craved to
travel to Europe and
along with Gall left Ireland, never to return.
His influence was vast.
He founded three monasteries in what is now east-
ern France, the most famous of which is Luxeuil.
And after parting company with Gall, who would
stay in Switzerland, he
travelled to Italy where he
would establish his final
Abbey in Bobbio in the
Apennines, near Milan
and where he would live
out his life until passing in
615.
His influence lives on, not
only in the areas and its
people where he had established settlements or
taught
but
across
Europe . In fact it was
Robert Schuman, one of
the founders of the European Union, that declared
Columbanus to be;
“the patron saint of all
those who now seek to
build a better Europe”.
Columban Way Newsletter
Welcome to this, the first
edition, of the Columban
Way Newsletter.
Through this publication
we aim to keep those with
a passion and interest in
the work of Columbanus
and the legacy that he
instilled upon the people
of Europe , informed as to
the work of the various
members of the Columban
Way association.
If you are interested in
becoming a member and
getting involved in the
work of the association
you can find this information at the end of the
newsletter.
The 1400th anniversary
of the passing of
Columbanus was celebrated throughout Europe in the countries
where he left his
enduring legacy.
The Columban Way, Bangor, Luxeuil, Bobbio
Page 2
The Columban Way
The non-profit Colomban
Way association was
formed with the goal of
restoring and reinforcing
the historical and cultural
links between the territories where Columbanus
is celebrated. Its aim is;
1: To bring together and
coordinate all organisations and individuals that
are active along the Way
that are interested in its
recognition and development.
2: To develop understanding and appreciation of the historical sites
and cultural heritage associated with Columbanus and his companions.
3: To work with scientific
and educational partners
to increase understanding of the historical context and of the life, work
and heritage of Columbanus, Gall and their
companions.
4: To develop initiatives
for the youth of the countries and territories traversed by the Way, with
the purpose of strengthening the knowledge of
their national roots and
of consolidating the common European identity.
5: To develop visits and
tourism on the theme of
the early Middle Ages, of
the Irish monastic movement in Europe, of
Columbanus & Gall .
6: To encourage and
safeguard the journeys
of cultural and religious
pilgrims
and
visitors
along the Columban
Way, working to providing guidance and support, including an adequate infrastructure and
services.
Signing of the Columban Way agreement , November 2013
Signore Maurizio
Parma, (viceprésidente della Provincia di Piacenza),
Signore Marco Rossi,
(Sindaco di Bobbio),
Councillor Andrew
Muir, (Mayor of North
Down), M. Michel Raison, (maire de Luxeuil
-les-Bains), signing
the statutes of association of the Columban
Way. In Bangor 2013.
The Singing of
the Columban
Way in Bangor
Castle
We must seek to
honour Columbanus’ legacy
“by ensuring we
continue to be
actively engaged
European citizens and, as he
did, work to promote harmony
among our
peoples”.
President of
Ireland, Michael
D. Higgins,
9 October 2015.
Bangor
Luxeuil-les-Bains
Bobbio
Columbanus studied under Comgall at Bangor
Abbey for several years
before leaving around
590 with 12 companions
including Gall, to create
new monasteries
throughout Europe. It
was a long and arduous
journey with many
challenges along the way
but the strength of their
faith ensured they would
prevail.
Columbanus visited the
Kingdoms of Neustria,
Austrasia and Burgundy,
founding Abbeys inspired
by the rule of Comgall at
Annegray, Fontaines and
most notably Luxeuil. In
610 Columbanus was to
be “removed” back to
Ireland. However bad
weather made the
journey impossible and
the monks remained in
Europe.
Columbanus arrived in
Milan in 613 and was
granted land for his last
monastery at Bobbio,
and where he would die
in 615, and was the
resting place for centuries of the Bangor Antiphonary hymn and
prayer book until it was
taken to Milan by
Cardinal Borromeo in the
17th Century to create
the Ambrosian Library.
Page 3
The Columban Way, Bangor, Luxeuil, Bobbio
Bangor’s Year of Celebration
Bangor
Christian
Heritage Trail and
Mobile App
The Bangor
Christian Heritage App, Free to
download on
Google Play or
Apple Store
With Heritage Lottery
Funding, Ards and North
Down Borough Council
were able to create and
develop
the
Bangor
Christian
Heritageproduct in a number of
ways through the year.
One of the most exciting
projects saw the development of a 5km Christian Heritage Trail running from Castle Park to
the North Down Coastal
Path and back to the
Park via the town centre.
The trail takes nine key
sites along the route including, North Down Museum, Bangor Abbey, St
Comgall’s Church the
beautiful North Down
Coastal Path and Victorian Walled Garden. The
walker is guided along
the trail with the accompanying free “Bangor
Christian Heritage Trail”
mobile app which in-
cludes audio, text, offline
map and imagery at
each site and there is
also a hard copy map
and interpretational panel’s en-route telling the
history of the various
locations. The app is
available
free
from
Google Play and App
Store.
Alongside the development of this trail volunteers from the Friends of
Columabnus Bangor undertook training in the
provision of guided tours
Columbanus Life and Legacy Project
Columbanus;
“the patron saint
of all those who
now seek to
build a better
Europe”.
Robert Schuman
This project, headed up
by the National University of Galway,
incorporated
Bangor
playing host in May to
the first of three International Columbanus
conferences across the
Columban countries with
Luxeuil and Bobbio
hosting conferences two
and three .
The conference brought
scholars together from
across
Europe and
North America over two
days to discuss the
legacy he left across
Europe and the life of the
Saint that left Bangor in
591 along with the
discoveries of the
archeological digs of Annagray and Luxeuil in
France where he
established
monastic
settlements.
Columbanus Cross Community Folk Festival
Members of Ards
CCE in Bobbio Crypt
Held in June, the festival
was a wonderful mix of
concerts , talks and
events including a youth
concert with a mix of
traditions from Irish to
Indian dancing to the
thunder of Lambeg
drums, a talk on
Columbanus, a storytellers/narrative song night,
the launch of a CD
produced by the younger
members of the famous
Sands family, informal
pub sessions and finale
concert by the world
famous Irish band “
Dervish” supported by
David Lennon and Ards
CCE.
All events were
supported by enthusiastic crowds, all concerts
sold out and standing
room only at many of the
pub sessions !
In 2016 Bangor has
been awarded the
honour of hosting the
Ulster Fleadh in July,
there will be a lot to look
forward to!
2015 also saw the group
visit and perform in
Bobbio, including an
emotional performance
in the Crypt of St
Columbanus.
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 4
Columbanus 5km Family Fun Run
On a warm summers
night at the end of August, 100 of the towns
“athletes” and casual
runners / walkers came
together for a unique
celebration of Columbanus. Organised by Cllr
Andrew Muir with volunteers from North Down
Running Club and the
Friends of Columbanus
Bangor and sponsorship
from local car dealership
School Projects
Education played a key
part in the years events
and well it should being
that Columbanus was a
student of Comgall at
Bangor Abbey, one of the
most influential seats of
learning in Europe at that
time.
Throughout the year a
number of initiatives took
place helping to spread
the word and legacy of
Mellons. The run saw
both young and old take
part in a 5km race/run
through Bangor’s Castle
Park along paths that
were the original lands of
Bangor
Abbey
and
where Columabnus and
his companions would
have walked, worshiped
and who knows perhaps
even ran themselves!
Columbanus.
Local primary schools
got involved through projects headed by the
Friends of Columbanus
Bangor. There were two
projects that were mirrored by children in Italy
and France in areas
where Columbanus established settlements or
Abbeys. In spring there
was the creation of a
“Columbanus Garden”,
where pupils had to design a small garden with
relevance to Columba-
The 5km fun run took place in Castle Park in
the former lands of Bangor Abbey
had to describe, “What Europe Means to
Me”. Locally, in September as part of the
Aspects Literature Festival, children took
part in a poetry competition.
Pupils from Ballyholme, Kilmaine, Clandeboye
and Central Primary Schools were amongst
those that took part in the projects
“The White Dove” - Columbanus comic
To help tell the story of
the Saint to the next generation, “The White
Dove”, a comic for primary school children, was
produced and distributed
to 8 and 9 year olds in
local schools that study
our local history as part
of their curriculum.
The comic tells of the
coming of Christianity to
Ireland with Patrick and
the foundation of the
Abbey of Comgall
and its most famous
Saint, Columbanus
along with his travels
across Europe and
through to his death
in Bobbio, Italy.
This comic has also
been translated into
Italian and French so
the children of those
countries can learn
“The White
from
the
same
story.
Dove”,
a comic
telling the
story of
Bangor
Abbey’s
most
famous
Saint.
Page 5
The Columban Way, Bangor, Luxeuil, Bobbio
Music and Film
Bangor Abbey
“The Journey of a Single
Day”, is a compilation of
tracks from the lands that
Columbanus once called
home. From Ireland
(north and south),
France, Germany and
Italy, the CD see’s a mix
of traditional, classical
and choral pieces alongside poetry, something
close to the heart of
Columbanus.
Short-films
Again thanks to Heritage
Lottery we were able to
produce a series of
short 3 minutes
films representing
those who left their
mark on the Abbey,
from Saint Comgall
to Saint Columbanus and Saint Malachy to Sir James
Hamilton. Each
telling of their part
in the development
of the Christian
Heritage story of Bangor
and its Abbey.
Exhibitions
“For the first
time in over 1200
years the Bangor
Bell was united
with the Lough
Lene and Cashel
Bells”
As part of a series of projects, made possible
through the granting of
Heritage Lottery Funding, two exhibitions were
created.
The highlight, “The Bell
Tolls For Thee” saw
three single cast bronze
bells, Bangor Bell, the
Lough Lene Bell and the
Cashel Bell, brought together for the first time
since they were cast
over 1,200 years ago.
In addition, the exhibition
displayed various artefacts found during the
2011 excavation of Bangor Abbey.
A 6 panel pop-up exhibition was also produced
and displayed at numerous locations across the
borough
and
further
afield including libraries,
churches and tourist attractions. The exhibition
tells the story of the areas Christian Heritage,
Bangor Abbey and the
Saints that left Bangor to
spread the word across
Europe. It has been taken on by the Friends of
Columbanus Bangor for
use as an outreach educational tool moving forward.
Columbanus Mapping Project
“The Journey
of
Columbanus”
mapping
project
“The Journey of Columbanus” mapping project traces Columbanus’ journey
through Europe from Leinster to Bangor and onto the continent. The site
includes text, images, audio and video at: http://arcg.is/1FcKwJL
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 6
Columbanus 1400 Festival
The weekend of 20 to 22 November saw Bangor celebrate the life and legacy of
Columbanus through a mix of music, poetry, story-telling and talks and ecumenical
service of worship.
Music & Poetry
Events began with the
third, "Journey of a Single Day”, concert at
Bangor Abbey. Regular
favorites the Ards CCE
got things under way
with a set of traditional
music and Irish dance
from the talented Smyth
Sisters. The second half
of the show was one of
story and song with Len
Graham, one of Irelands
best known traditional
singers, and Jack Lynch
the superb story teller
from Dublin.
First Bangor Presbyterian hosted “Songs of the
Scribe” with Padraigin
Ni Uallachain one of Irelands finest traditional
singers. This a unique
take on our monastic
tradition with ancient lyrics inspired by the
scribes set to the music
of harp, fiddles and viola.
Events returned to the
Abbey where “To Find a
Heathen Place and
Sound a Bell”, took us
on a journey of two of the
early saints of the church
in Ireland, both who lived
at Bangor Abbey under
the rule of Comgall, Fiachra and Columbanus.
The evening an ecumenical service closed proceedings with congregations and clergy from
across the area joining to
worship in the name of
Columbanus.
To Find A Heathen
Place and Sound
a Bell” at
Bangor Abbey.
"With his spiritual
strength, with his
Columbanus 1400 Festival
Talks and storytelling
Saturday lectures and
talks got underway with
St Columbanus Church
the setting for Queens
University’s Immo
Warntjes and Barry
Sloan who told his entertaining story of his hitchhiking journey from Bangor to Bobbio in the footsteps of Columbanus. In
the afternoon things
moved to St Comgall’s
Parish center where Damien Bracken from National University Cork
and Sean McDonnagh, a
Columban Missionary
talked of Columbanus’
life and the importance of
his teachings on ecology
in today’s world. After
lunch both Jack and Len
made a second appearance of the weekend,
faith, with his love
this time entertaining
local Children with their
story and song.
of God and
neighbour, he
became one of the
Fathers of Europe,
showing us today
the way to those
roots from which
our continent may
be reborn,"
Pope Benedict
Exchange of Bangor and Bobbio Bells & “Festival of the Columban Way”
In April Manu Bertoncini,
from the Order of Malta,
presented the people of
Bangor with a ceremonial bell from the people of
Bobbio.
The bell travelled in three
parts from Italy to Ireland
by air, sea and land to be
united in Bangor.
After arrival in Cork the
bell was brought north by
representatives of the
Knights of Columbanus.
In return a bell was pre-
sented by St Comgalls
Parish on behalf of Bangor which returned to
Italy to be located in
Bobbio.
In June Bangor and Armagh hosted the first
“Festival of the Columban Way”. The festival
will saw over 200 pilgrims from Italy visit
Northern Ireland in honour of the legacy of
Columbanus.
Paddy Byrne, the Knights of Columbanus & Stephen
Reid, Chief Executive, Ards and North Down Borough Council , with Manu Bertoncini Presenting
Deputy Mayor ,Carl McClean with the Bobbio bell.
The Columban Way
Media and Press
Throughout the year the airwaves and print media had
their fair share of Columbanus, across Ireland north and
south.
TV: The jewel in the year was the BBC / RTE production
“Mary McAleese and the Man Who Saved Europe” documentary. This hour long documentary, in both English and
Irish, charted the life and travels of Columbanus from Ireland, through Europe and onto Bobbio. It delved into the
man himself, the importance of his legacy and touched on
how his teachings would touch the Europe of today.
In November, the weekend of celebrations featured in a
half hour show on “Irish TV’s”, Down Matters series.
(Down Matters 61). This gave a broad picture of the variety of events involved and included interviews with many
participants. An earlier edition of the programme (Down
Matters 29) had contained more general Bangor and
Columbanus material. Irish TV is a global channel broadcasting on satellite and online to over 140 countries. Both
programmes are both still available at Irishtv.com.
Irish TV filming at North Down Museum
during the 1400th weekend events.
Radio: National and local radio all supported the year of Columbanus.
Nationally, in the north BBC Radio Ulster not only covered interviews on the weekend of celebration
but also over 19-21 June, designated the National Festival of St. Columbanus by the Catholic Diocese
of Down and Connor, special services were held in Belfast, Bangor and Armagh with the Sunday
morning from The Church of The Most Holy Redeemer Sheridan Drive in Bangor. The broadcast
shared by Church of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian clergy focused on words from Columbanus’
sermons, letters and rule, interspersed with scripture, reflection and prayer on the theme of setting
sail with Christ. Leading the music was local group Canteunculae.
Locally Bangor FM included several hours of content on the Saint and upcoming events including interviews with numerous participants in the year’s events.
In the south RTE radio broadcast a performance of “To Find A Heathen Place and Sound a Bell“, the
story of Bangor Abbey and the Saints of its time. The piece receiving a live performance at the 1400
event weekend.
Press: Throughout the year and most notable around the November focus many articles appeared in
local and national press including the; Belfast Telegraph, Irish News, Irish Times and the County
Down Spectator.
“The Bell Tolls for Thee” exhibition in May /
June at North Down Museum, funded by the
Heritage Lottery Fund..
Alex Irvine, Ards and North Down Borough
Council, Rae McGookin, Bangor Abbey and Trail
Guide and Angela Lavin, Heritage Lottery launching the Bangor Christian Heritage Trail.
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 8
Luxeuil’s Year of Celebration
In 2015, the town of Luxeuil-les-Bains celebrated the 1400 years of the death of St. Columban with many
cultural events (66 in total): concerts, calligraphy courses, conferences, exhibitions, shows but also
religious celebrations.
The international symposium brought together many scientists and throughout the year the tourist office
welcomed visitors from Ireland and Italy who visited in the footsteps of Columbanus.
“In the eyes of the
Children” Exhibition
The tourist office gathered works
from the children of Bangor,
Luxeuil and Bobbio in this
exhibition.
It recorded the points of view of 10
children in each country. A total of
32 signs were made for this
traveling exhibition that has
already been exhibited in Luxeuil
and Bobbio.
The exhibition has been displayed in Luxeuil and Bobbio
"From Columban to Luxeuil, from Luxeuil to Europe. Manuscripts legacy
(VIIe-XVIIe s.)” Exhibition
In September and October 2015 this superb exhibition brought together many exceptional manuscripts. It
was organised by the association “les Amis de saint Colomban” with the support of the Town Hall and
the Tourist Office.
Held at the Museum “La Tour des Échevins”, it brought together manuscripts from St. Gall, Strasbourg and
Vesoul.
The exhibition also presented the writings of Luxeuil and scriptoria from Luxeuil St. Columba Abbey,
Bangor and Bobbio. Over 1400 people viewed the exhibition during its time.
The exhibition
saw over
1400 visit
during its run
The Columban Way
Bobbio’s Year of Celebration
Key to the celebrations in Bobbio was that of the young and celebrating how, 1400 years after the
death of the Irish monk Saint Columbanus, he brought to Europe the Gospel, cementing a dialogue
between different populations.
Columban's Youth Day
August 2015
“Our lives can be fully realized
only if we keep what we hold
most dear, relationships ". With
these words the Bishop Gianni
Ambrosio invited associations,
parishes and movements to
Columban's Youth Day 2015.
The initiative, aimed in particular
at young people, takes place
1400 years after the death of
Saint Columbanus and was
announced during the celebration
of the 30th World Youth Day held
in the diocesan in Holy City
Church, Franca, in late March.
Organised by the Youth Ministry,
led by don Paolo Cignatta, pastor
of the Cathedral of Bobbio, the
theme was "blessed are the pure
in heart" from the message sent
by the Pope on the occasion of
world youth day.
Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop of
Derry, took the river taxi from
Calendasco to Lodi and brought
with him 626 pilgrims. He then
walked with a group to Bobbio.
Columbanus Youth Day, August 2015
"I don't think St Columba arrived at Bobbio in air conditioned coach, right? Dais Bishop McKeown on his arrival
after the final walk from Lodi to Bobbio
At the event twenty-one bishops
met in a "Mini Council" to
remember Columbanus, 1400
years after his death.
Gianni Ambrosio, Bishop of Piacenza-Bobbio,
officiated and greeted the Cardinals in the
Church of San Lorenzo in Bobbio, before the
beginning of the Eucharistic Celebration.
Following the ceremony, the City Museum and
former refectory of the Abbey, Ambrosio
greeted the Mayor and civil and military
authorities.
The Columban Way
European Columbanus Organisations
Friends of Columbanus (Bangor) - www.friendsofcolumbanusbangor.co.uk
Columban Fathers - www.columban.org
Knights of St Columbanus - www.knightsofstcolumbanus.ie
Ami Saint Colomban - www.amisaintcolomban.org
Useful contacts:
Bangor Abbey - www.bangorabbey.org
St Columbanus Church Bangor- www.ballyholmeparish.co.uk
First Bangor Presbyterian Church Bangor– www.firstbangor.org
Travel information:
Bangor - www.ardsandnorthdowntourism.com
Bobbio - www.comune.bobbio.pc.it
Luxeuil - www.luxeuil.fr
thecolumbanway.com