Bangor Town Walk and Cultural Trail

Bangor Town Walk and Cultural Trail

Welcome to the Bangor town walk and cultural trail. Bangor s history is a wide and varied one. The town may take its name from the Gaelic Beannchor meaning horned bay. The first settlements date back to Neolithic times, but it was the founding of the monastery by St Comgall in AD558 and the establishment of a centre of learning that laid the town s foundations. Since that time Bangor has been attacked by Vikings, settled by the Scottish Planters, developed as a seaside town and saw General Eisenhower visit ships taking part in D Day. Today it is a thriving maritime town. The trail focuses on many aspects of Bangor s history highlighting its key sites and buildings of interest. This walk will take approximately 1½ hours to complete (unless you follow the coastal path for a time or take a walk through one of the parks). The walk does involve several gradients; these are highlighted on the map. Begin your walk at Tower House, Bangor s Visitor Information Centre on Quay Street.

Tower House 1 Tower House Harbour Master s Office 2 Tower House, originally the town s Custom House, was built in 1637 by Sir James Hamilton the area s Scottish landlord at that time. The Scottish Baronial architecture is unique to Bangor and rare in Ulster. Throughout its 300 year history the building has served several purposes including private dwellings, antique shop and housed hot seawater baths. The status of the building was protected in 1979 when added to the List of Buildings of Special Interest by the Department of the Environment. Today it serves as the Council s Visitor Information Centre. Open all year: Jan - Apr & Sept - Dec Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri 9.15am-5pm, Wed 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm. Extended opening May - Aug include Sat 10am - 5 pm and Sun 1pm - 5pm, Accessible for disabled visitors. The building was constructed around 1860 with the lower part being the boathouse and offices above. The building has taken on many roles in the years since including a lifeboat station and even a restaurant. From the Harbour Master s Office walk right towards the Eisenhower Pier, RNLI Lifeboat Station and Long Hole. Cross the road and opposite Tower House you will find the old Harbour Master s Office.

3 Eisenhower Pier, RNLI Lifeboat Station & Long Hole The Eisenhower Pier (formerly known as the North Pier) was re-named in 2005 by Mary-Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of former U.S. President D D Eisenhower to commemorate his relationship with the town and his address to the Allied warships heading to bombard the German positions at D Day. At the end of the pier you can view mosaics depicting the scenes from Bangor s history. Bangor s Lifeboat station was built in 2002 replacing the out of date premises and is now one of the busiest in Ireland. At the start of the pier, to the right of the Lifeboat Station is the Long Hole, formerly a boat harbour created in approximately 1815. Beyond is Seacliff Road with its rows of fine Victorian houses and the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, the red brick building sitting on top of the hill. The club was established in 1866 as the Ulster Yacht Club and three years later it received its Royal warrant. The pier is also famous for its rare colony of black guillemots, known as Bangor Penguins, which nest in the harbour wall. Throughout the summer fishing and boat trips depart from the pier. From the Eisenhower Pier turn back towards the town and head for the Sunken Gardens and Bregenz House.

4 McKee Clock, Sunken Gardens & Bregenz House Close to the clock you can see the old wrought-iron fountain placed in memory of a Mrs Coates by a local sailing club in 1893. Looking to your right towards the marina is Bregenz House home of the Coastguard. The station is named after Bangor s twin town of Bregenz in Austria. The McKee Clock stands at the entrance to the Sunken Gardens at the bottom of High Street, marked by its early Victorian symmetrical corner buildings. The clock, named after its benefactor James McKee a local rates collector who donated 200 (a very large sum of money at the time) towards its construction, is one of the seafront s oldest and most enduring landmarks. Designed by the town s surveyor, Mr Bell, it was built in 1915 by John McNeilly from stone quarried at Ballycullen. On the base of the clock, a black granite slab is engraved with the inscription, 8 July 1915. This stone records the appreciation of the Bangor Urban District Council for the generous gift of this clock to his native town by James McKee. The above James McKee died on 28th April 1919. Walk on through the Sunken Gardens and along the promenade overlooking the Marina.

5 Promenade & Bangor Marina The promenade was developed along with the Marina, replacing what was for many years a beach enjoyed by generations of day-trippers. It runs alongside the marina with beautiful views to Pickie Fun Park and children s playground. Bangor Marina is one of Ireland s largest with over 500 berths and holds the prestigious Five Anchors and Blue Flag awards. swimmers until heated indoor pools became the chosen option leading to its closure in 1986. Now a family fun park is situated here. Children can enjoy a pedal on a giant swan on the boating lake, 18 hole mini golf, a playground or enjoy a ride on the Pickie Puffer miniature railway whilst adults relax in the onsite cafe. The Coastal Path If you are feeling energetic at this point you can continue on and sample part of the North Down Coastal Path towards Crawfordsburn. The path has beautiful views up Belfast Lough, across to 7 Continue on round the promenade to Pickie Fun Park. 6 Pickie Fun Park/Playground Carrickfergus and on a clear day you can see Scotland. You can turn and rejoin the town walk at any time. To continue on the town walk turn up Tennyson Avenue at this point with its villas dating to the 1880 s (Tennyson Avenue is located just before Pickie Fun Park and adjacent to the fountains). Pickie Fun Park and playground stand on the old site of Pickie Pool. The pool, which was the best-known outdoor pool in Ireland, opened in 1931 and for over half a century was the hub for summer Approximately 20 metres up Tennyson Avenue turn left along Princetown Road. Follow the rows of Victorian Terraces and across to Dufferin Avenue which was built in 1865 after the arrival of the railway. Please note this involves a gradient towards the railway station.

8 Dufferin Avenue Post Office 10 The Avenue is named after the Dufferin family of Clandeboye Estate and it also finds a mention in the works of Frederick Forsyth (Author of Day of the Jackal). Across the road on the corner of Main Street and Castle Park Avenue is Bangor Post Office. A rare and interesting sight is the post box marked Edward VIII - the King who abdicated in 1936. Only a few post boxes in the UK bear his insignia. 9 Bangor Rail and Bus Station The original building designed by Sir Charles Lanyon was constructed in 1865. The railway led to Bangor becoming a busy seaside town and was the starting point for many a holiday or day-tripper. The railway also led to the expansion of Bangor with people being able to commute from Bangor to Belfast for work. The current station dates from 2000. Head away from the town centre with the station on your right up Abbey Street.

11 Bangor Abbey St Comgall founded the Abbey in 558AD and it grew to become one of the most important seats of learning in Ireland, with almost 3,000 monks worshipping at the time of Comgall s death in 601AD. Two of its most famous students, is known locally as Malachy s Wall, the oldest surviving remnant of the Abbey, adjacent to the Old Gate Lodge. The main body of the building dates from the 1830 s and 1840 s but the tower is from the 15th century and the octagonal steeple dates from 1693. The churchyard has many old and interesting gravestones including a memorial to the assistant surgeon of the Titanic local man John Simpson. (Located just before the side gate if approaching from the front of the Abbey). Columbanus and Gall, travelled throughout Europe setting up monasteries in Luxeuil, Bobbio and Bregenz. Artefacts from the monastery s earliest period can be viewed in the North Down Museum. The most celebrated literary work to come from the monastery is the seventh century Bangor Antiphonary, a collection of hymns, prayers and poems now kept in the Ambrosian Library in Milan. Bangor s vulnerability to attack from the sea resulted in the Abbey falling into disrepair following many Viking raids. It was partially restored by Saint Malachy in the 12th Century when he was Abbot in Bangor. His work can be seen at what When you leave the Abbey head right and back towards the town centre through the wooded path up the hill towards Bangor Castle, Bangor s Town Hall. Bangor Castle Completed in 1852 for The Hon Robert Edward Ward, this imposing mansion in the Elizabethan-Jacobean revival style had no fewer than 35 bedrooms and incorporated a huge salon for musical recitals. When the then municipal authority, Bangor Borough Council, acquired the Castle and grounds, the music salon became the Council Chamber. The first Council meeting was held there almost exactly 100 years after the building now known as the Town Hall was first completed. Situated in Castle Park, the gardens have won many awards for their outstanding blooms. 12

13 Continue to the rear of the Castle where you will find North Down Museum. North Down Museum Located in the old Castle stables, Northern Ireland s most visited small museum hosts a number of exhibits and displays covering the fascinating history of the area from early Christian monks through to its development as a seaside town. Ward Park Created in 1910 on the site of the old brickfields the park is now well known for its wildfowl and children s play area. At the Hamilton Road end of the park stands the town s War Memorial located alongside the gun of the German submarine UB 19, which surrendered with the rest of the German fleet at the end of WW1. 14 Here you will see examples of archaeological finds, such as the Ballycrochan Swords, dating from 500BC and the 9th Century Bangor Bell. Here you can also have a rest and enjoy a meal or snack in the Restaurant. The foyer sales desk offers a range of books and literature on the area. Open Tues - Sat 10am - 4.30pm, Sun 12pm - 4.30pm, July & Aug Mon - Sat 10am - 4.30pm, Sun 12pm - 4.30pm. If you have time you can take a detour to the Walled Garden (open seasonally). From the museum head away from the town centre down Castle Park Road to the traffic lights at Ward Park. Coincidentally it had been active round the north of Ireland in the war. The gun was presented to the town by the Admiralty in honour of local Barry Bingham, who won a Victoria Cross at the Battle of Jutland, the V.C. can be seen in the North Down Museum. Bangor library, recently re-developed, stands within the park. It was opened in 1910 to act not only as the library but also the town s Technical School. If time is short from the traffic lights head up the slight hill towards the town passing Bangor Hospital built in 1910. Further on again on the right hand side is Bangor Parish Church, St Comgall s dating from 1899. Turn left at the Parish Church and walk approximately 100 metres.

15 16 Spectator Offices Many Irish writers began their careers in local newspapers and Bangor s own Colin Bateman (author of Murphy s Law amongst other bestsellers) and Jo Bannister (work includes Echoes of Lies) both worked here. Virtually opposite the Spectator offices you will see First Bangor Presbyterian Church. First Bangor Presbyterian With its distinctive weeping Ash tree, the church dates from 1831 with the spire 1881. Town Hall in the 1930 s and 40 s before becoming a bank. Continue on down Main Street past Trinity Presbyterian Church (built in Yorkshire stone in 1889) to Easons. Star Trek On the site of Easons you will be surprised to know that the father of Scottie of Star Trek (actor James Doohan) had a chemist s shop! Having completed the walk why not treat yourself to a refreshment in one of the many coffee shops or restaurants in the area or return to the promenade for a rest? 18 If you have enjoyed this walk and have time then why not try the Holywood town walk and trail too. 17 Retrace your steps and cross at the lights to the Northern Bank. Northern Bank This fine old building dates back to 1780 and was originally the town s market house with open arcades on the ground floor. It was later a school and the Reading List: Bangor Abbey Through Fifteen Centuries - Canon James Hamilton M.A. Old Bangor - John Hanna The Lost World of North Down, Photographs 1870-1940 - North Down Museums Publication Bangor Light of the World - Ian Adamson Peers and Plebs - Madeline Bingham My Bangor - Charles Milligan Victorian Bangor - Grenfell Morton Bangor, A Historical Gazetter - Marcus Patton Reminiscences of Old Bangor - WC Seyers Buildings of North County Down - CEB Brett Most of these publications can be viewed at Bangor Library and some may be purchased locally.

7 3 2 1 4 6 5 18 17 8 16 15 10 9 14 12 11 13 Bangor Castle Walled Garden Steep gradients at Tennyson Avenue and Dufferin Avenue Your Route

For further information on Bangor contact Bangor Visitor Information Centre 028 9127 0069 bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk North Down Museum 028 9127 1200 museum@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk Other walking trails in the area include the North Down Christian Heritage Trail and the North Down Coastal Path Ards and North Down Borough Council 2016