Bangor Times

29/05/2024

This Weekend’s Sea Bangor (1-2 June) Features New 1940s Dance Hall and Milk Bar

The City of Bangor will be a hive of activity this weekend with Sea Bangor (1-2 June), a free-to-attend maritime festival which features a 1940s themed programme to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.

Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, the festival is open from midday until 6pm on Saturday and 1pm to 6pm on Sunday. A fantastic programme of music acts including The Leading Ladies and Soda Popz will bring a nostalgic feel to the city.

Adding to the nostalgia will be a new feature for this year’s festival which will have a 1940s dance hall and milk bar. South Eastern Regional College (SERC) Performing Arts students will be dressed in 1940s style outfits and have been working hard on their dancing routines. They are excited about performing in their local city and visitors can see them dance in the stretch tent or grab a selfie with them as they do walkabouts in their 1940s clothing.

Quay Street Car Park will have a distinct holiday atmosphere with lots of 1940s themed fun while Eisenhower Pier will host some fantastic food demos at the Demo Kitchen where chefs from SERC will create tasty dishes. Walkabout entertainers and traditional Punch and Judy shows will entertain families and kids can complete the Sea Bangor City Passport by visiting participating retailers. Collect all 14 stamps to receive a prize.

On-the-water activities include pre-bookable ‘have a go’ kayaking and paddleboarding sessions, or find out about the crucial role that Bangor had to play in preparation for the D-Day Landings with a Bangor Bay D-Day boat trip. Limited tickets are still available.

If you prefer keeping your feet firmly on dry land, watch the rowing competitions as local teams and military teams battle for victory. Head to Eisenhower Pier to see the e-foiling demonstrations (2.45pm and 5.10pm) or visit Seacliff Road to watch the Artemis eFoiler – the world’s first 100% electric commercial workboat – in action at 2pm and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

08/03/2024

Good luck Buttonmoon with your new shop on Dufferin Avenue!

We are very excited for your new adventure 👶🏻 🩵🩷

27/02/2024

📕 🥰

📣 OPENING THIS FRIDAY 📣

27/02/2024

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Day One - Queens Parade Development has started. :-)

08/01/2024

Hidden History: A look at the new archaeological discoveries in our Borough

Ever year archaeologists unearth new and exciting secrets of our past, making new discoveries help us to understand the lives of our ancestors.

This exhibition explores these new discoveries and looks at the story of our Borough from the earliest human settlers, and how these communities developed and expanded over the centuries.

North Down Museum
Thu 18 Jan - Sun 7 April
Free

06/01/2024

What’s On: Princess Victoria Disaster exhibition

In collaboration with Donaghadee Heritage Preservation Company, this exhibition will recount the terrible events of the Princess Victoria maritime disaster that occurred on 31 January 1953.
With a loss of 135 passengers and crew, it remains the worst shipping disaster in the history of the province.

North Down Museum
Tue 16 Jan - Sun 24 March
Free

05/01/2024

From today, Friday 5 January, Ballycopeland Windmill, based in Millisle, will be offering free admission to the visitor attraction with a pass, issued with any purchase from the café.

Free admission is for self-guided tours only.

Offer ends 29th January 2024.

04/01/2024

What’s on: North Down Museum Cafe

An exhibition by Ards Arts Club, a vibrant local art group founded over 20 years ago. Members work in a variety of mediums and gather together to celebrate their individuality, diversity and vibrant artistic paintings.

North Down Museum (Café)
Tues 9 Jan - Sun 25 Feb
Free

03/01/2024

What’s on: Ards Arts Centre

‘The Collection’, featuring artworks from some of the leading names in Northern Irish arts such as Colin Davidson, Victor Sloan, and Oliver Jeffers, as well as artists of significant local and national interest.

This exhibition also includes a special display of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Prints in the Sunburst Gallery, featuring renowned British artists such as Tracey Emin, Gary Hume, and Howard Hodgkin to name a few!

Image: © Oliver Jeffers. The Substitute Window. 2006.
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland Collection.

Ards Arts Centre
until Saturday 27 January

02/01/2024

Main Street. Bangor, Co. Down. early 1900s.
(NLI)

27/11/2023

Starting the new week with a gorgeous breakfast 🥞

17/11/2023

Saturday’s Christmas light switch-on events…

🎄𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐎𝐧🎅
✨𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐮𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭✨

📆Tomorrow - Saturday 18 November, 12noon – 7pm (switch on 5.30pm McKee Clock Arena in association with Mellons Hyundai)
📍McKee Clock Arena, Bangor Seafront

During the day, follow the Bangor passport trail around Main Street and High Street.

Simply pick up your City of Bangor Christmas Passport, at Bangor Visitor Information Centre, 34 Quay Street BT20 5ED, the Visitor Information Caravan near McKee Clock, or in any of the 14 participating businesses around the city and join the seasonal fun as you visit each of the stores.

It is also a great opportunity to pick up Christmas gifts and support local.

✨𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝟏𝟒 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬✨

🍭𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 | Railway Court, BT20 3BU | 2pm - 7pm
Festive biscuit decorating

🍬𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 | Market Street, BT20 4SP | 2pm - 5pm
Free freeze-dried Skittles

🎁𝐀𝐒𝐃𝐀 | Main Street BT20 4SD | 2pm - 5pm
Free Christmas colouring-in and free mince pies

🎨𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐬 | Main Street (next to CEX) | 1pm - 4pm
Free digital art, card printing, badge making, Santa drawing, sewing, or macrame!

🎁𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 | Main Street, BT20 5AL | 2pm - 5pm
Santa letter printing

🍕𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 | Main Street, BT20 5AF | 2pm - 5pm
Free Little Wing Goodies

☕𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 | Main Street, BT20 5AG | 2pm - 5pm
Free colouring-in and free treat for each child

✨𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐦 | Quay Street, BT20 5AY | 2pm - 5pm
Free local magnet/greeting card giveaway

☕𝐘𝐌𝐂𝐀 | High Street, BT20 5AY | 2pm - 5pm
Festive fun including arts/crafts and music. Free hot chocolate and mince pies

🎸𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 | high Street, BT20 5BE | 2pm - 5pm
Christmas Karaoke for all ages

😄𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 | High Street, BT20 5BD | 2pm - 5pm
Boardgames and free keychain giveaway

🎨𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐲 | High Street, BT20 5BD | 2pm - 5pm
Free festive mulled wine

🥧𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 | High Street BT20 5BB | 12noon - 5pm
Free festive mulled wine, shortbread and prize giveaways

💃𝐌𝐎𝐈 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 | High Street, BT20 5AZ | 2pm - 5pm
Free festive chocolate

Find out more 👉https://bit.ly/40rRuOb

Candy world Curious Candy Asda Boom Studios Seacourt Print Workshop Little Wing Pizzeria The Red Berry - Coffee House & Eatery Doodle & Boom - Gift Shop Bangor NI YMCA North Down Windmill Guitars Terry Bradley FOCUS Menswear Moi Boutique Bangor ShopBangor Replay Games

All Bangor Passport activities and treats are subject to change and availability.

02/05/2023

Happy first birthday Industrial Brew 🎊

20/04/2023

Blue Plaque Commemorating Viscount Castlereagh Unveiled in Newtownards

The Ulster History Circle and Ards and North Down Borough Council have unveiled a blue plaque to commemorate Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh and 2nd Marquess of Londonderry. The unveiling took place on Wednesday, 19 April at Ards Art Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards.

Among the guests who attended the event were The Lord Lieutenant of County Down, Gawn Rowan Hamilton, The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, Lady Rose and Peter Lauritzen from Mount Stewart Estate and High Sheriff of County Down, Mike Mawhinney.

Speaking about the unveiling, The Mayor said:

“I was delighted to unveil this blue plaque to commemorate and mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh who spent his early years in Newtownards before making Mount Stewart his home. It is fitting that the plaque be placed on this historical building which has links with the Stewart family, and I hope it serves to remind local people of Castlereagh’s legacy. I would like to especially thank the Ulster History Circle and Mount Stewart for all of their assistance in making the blue plaque possible.”

Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh was born on 18 June 1769 in Dublin. His father was Robert the first Marquess of Londonderry and his mother, Lady Frances Seymour Conway Stewart. Robert spent his early childhood in Newtownards before moving to Mount Stewart, receiving his education at Royal School Armagh. In 1786, he left Armagh to further his education at St John’s College, Cambridge. In 1790, he won his father’s old seat as MP for County Down and entered the Irish Parliament.

Four years later, Robert married lady Amelia Anne Hobart. Viscount Castlereagh’s long career saw him as Chief Secretary of State for Ireland during the Act of Union in 1801, President of the Board of Control, Secretary of State for War and the Colonies and the architect of the Treaty of Vienna, which brought peace to Europe.

Often described as one of the most influential and distinguished Foreign Secretaries, he was Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from 1812 to 1822 and Leader of the House of Commons for the same period. He died on 12 August 1822 and was buried with honours at Westminster Abbey, London.

An exhibition exploring the life and political career of Viscount Castlereagh is currently on display in Newtownards Library.

17/04/2023

Would you play your heart out in ?

13/04/2023

Great photo of Main Street!

Main Street. Bangor, Co. Down. early 1900s.
(NLI)

27/03/2023

😍💙

Bangor, County Down based folk songwriter, King Cedar (Stephen Macartney) is pleased to release his debut album 'Everything More, & Other Stories’, out NOW via Third Bar / Virgin Music.

King Cedar is the moniker of Stephen Macartney, a folk songwriter based in Bangor, County Down. Known for his alt-folk band Farriers, who had critical and commercial success with their album 'Years Ago in Our Back Yard', Macartney started King Cedar in 2015.

King Cedar's debut EP 'The Hard Luck Anodyne' was released in 2018. It was a chance meeting with a group of musicians from Los Angeles, visiting Fealty's Back Bar Sessions in Bangor, which Macartney founded and hosts, that led him to California.

King Cedar's debut album 'Everything More, & Other Stories' was recorded and produced with Grammy Award winner Andre De Santanna in Los Angeles.

25/03/2023

Our wee neighbour along the coast.
Go Go Go D’Dee 😍

24/03/2023

One more time….

This Saturday.

23/03/2023

10 things to do in NI this week >>

Here are ten exciting things to do in NI this week.

23/03/2023

FREE delivery to BT19 and BT20 from the Belfast Times shop.

The free delivery option is there if you choose to pay using ShopPay or use the standard CHECKOUT option.

Due to system limitations if you use Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, or PayPal, then the local delivery option isn't available. Yeah it’s a bummer I know 🙄

We have cards, coasters, prints, tea towels and much more.

https://thebelfasttimes.com/collections/

23/03/2023

This weekend in Bangor’s Walled Garden..

As part of a weekend of walled garden experiences across the Borough, Bangor Castle Walled Garden reawakens with a host of FREE activities for all ages on Saturday and Sunday, 12noon-4pm.

22/03/2023

What’s happening during the final week of Our Place in Space…

A lifestyle brand and online magazine. Northern Ireland and Irish typography and digital designs on greetings cards, coasters, tea towels and prints. Personalised prints and coasters also available.

21/03/2023

Ards and North Down’s Big Spring Clean Weekend!

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, is encouraging people across the Borough to get involved in Northern Ireland’s biggest volunteer clean-up and take part in Ards and North Down’s Big Spring Clean Weekend on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March.

Organised in support of Live Here Love Here’s Big Spring Clean, which runs from 1 March to 30 April, the Mayor is the driving force behind this specific effort in the Borough. Local community groups, schools and other organisations are being urged to sign up and take part, ensuring that by working together, as much rubbish as possible will be removed from our countryside.

The volunteer litter pickers will be encouraged to separate recyclable materials, such as bottles and cans, from general waste by using separate bags before dropping off the filled bags at designated collection points. A co-ordinated effort will see Ards and North Down Borough Council collect the waste from these collection points, before delivering it to a recycling centre where it will be safely disposed of.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, said:

“I would really like as many people as possible to come out and help with this joint-effort in getting rid of waste that is littering our Borough. This is a fantastic opportunity to help Ards and North Down become an even more attractive place to live, work and visit, while also providing untold benefits to our environment and local wildlife. I am looking forward to taking part and meeting many of the volunteers.”

Helen Tomb, Live Here Love Here Manager, said:

“Litter continues to be an issue across our roads, greenspaces and beautiful beaches. Volunteers can support the work of Ards and North Down Borough Council by taking part in an organised litterpick or by lifting a few pieces of litter when out for a walk. Live Here Love Here supports the Mayor’s Big Spring Clean weekend and will be joining community litterpicks during the weekend to help keep the Borough beautiful.”

Lesley Crawshaw, Manager of the Beach Cleaners Ards and North Down Facebook group, said:

“It would be great to get as many people as possible involved in Ards and North Down’s Big Spring Clean Weekend. Litter is a depressing blight on our environment. Every piece of litter lifted makes a difference and it’s amazing what can be achieved when we all work together. Not only can we make a huge difference to the cleanliness of Ards and North Down but we can also raise awareness of the litter problem and encourage people to think about changing their behaviour.”

Litter picking equipment can be provided to volunteer groups and individuals who register for the Ards and North Down Big Spring Clean Weekend. To register, visit ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/bigspringcleanweekend or email [email protected].

The Mayor will invite all those who register to a ‘thank you’ event at Bangor City Hall. So why not grab some rubbish bags, put on some gloves, and join your local community in picking up litter from open spaces, parks, beaches and other public places to help clean up the Borough during the Ards and North Down Big Spring Clean Weekend!

11/03/2023

Inspired by the Our Place in Space sculpture trail, Ultimate Strongman competitor Dale Winters prepares for 4 Nations Championships in Bangor by giving the world a lift!

Taking place at the McKee Clock Arena on 18 March, the Ultimate Strongman Competition's 4 Nations Championships will see some of the UK and Ireland's leading strongmen and women compete using cars, trucks and the legendary stones of strength.

The competition takes place in the centre of Bangor near to Pluto at the end of the Our Place in Space sculpture trail, a recreation of our solar system as an 11.8km sculpture trail starting at the Ulster Transport Museum and running along the North Down Coastal Path.

Specially commissioned space characters will roam through the Strongman event which, along with Our Place in Space, are both free to visit next Saturday.

For more information on Our Place In Space visit https://thebelfasttimes.com/blogs/our-place-in-space

08/03/2023

One last time….

08/03/2023

Have you tried it yet??

Boardwalk Social

07/03/2023

Who’s doing the walk to Bangor?

03/03/2023

Ards Guitar Festival 2023 Line-Up

19 – 23 April at various venues around Newtownards.

This year’s line-up features home-grown talent as well as performers from Germany, the Netherlands, and Iran, all assembled with the help of guest programmer Anthony Toner. From live gigs to Guitar Clinics and interviews, guitar fans will be spoiled for choice.

Wednesday 19 April
Neil Ó Briain and Paul McMordie will perform at The Web Theatre, Newtownards with original and new scores to silent movie favourites at the ‘Comedy Classic Soundtracks’ event.

Thursday 20 April
The Aquarelle Guitar Quartet presents Cinema Paradiso at The Web Theatre. A night not to be missed – a sweeping celebration of the silver screen with music from films such as Chocolat, The Piano and Schindler’s List.

Friday 21 April
An exciting all-female line-up will take to the stage in The Queen’s Hall on Friday 21 April; Karlijn Langendijk, Judith Beckedorf and Sophie Chasée. As three of Europe’s most talented female guitarists, hailing from The Netherlands and Germany, this concert will be a superb one-off evening of extraordinary playing.

Saturday 22 April
The festival is also pleased to welcome Dom Martin and Band to play The Queen’s Hall on Saturday 22 April. Martin is a Belfast-born, multi-award-winning artist, inspired but not constrained by the blues.


Other highlights of this year’s programme include; Jim Mullen Trio in Concert, one of the UK’s finest jazz guitar talents, who has collaborated over several decades with top musicians in Europe and the US. Jim will appear in Ards Arts Centre on Friday 21 April. This year’s Classic Brunch sees broadcaster Ralph McLean bring his attention to one of the greatest rock albums of all time – Fleetwood Mac’s Rumour’s in Ards Arts Centre on Sunday 23 April. Ralph will also be in conversation with guitar manufacturing legend George Lowden and his son Aaron on Saturday 22 April, taking a look back over George’s extensive career and hearing about the next generation of Lowden guitars.

This year’s Weekend Wind Down, on Sunday 23 April, will take place in Falls’ Bar with Rodney Branigan. Rodney learned how to play in Austin, how to craft songs in Nashville and how to put it all together in London, playing all types of music to all types of venues in his storied career. At the Weekend Wind Down, Rodney will be supported by Ben Cutler, a 19- year-old musician from Belfast. Expect soulful acoustic singer-songwriter material, with
an eclectic range of folk-oriented blues and stripped-back Alternative rock.

Ards International Guitar Festival runs from 19 - 23 April. For ticket details or to view the full programme please visit the website www.ardsguitarfestival.co.uk or call Ards Arts Centre on 028 9181 0803

03/03/2023

Tales of Down at North Down Museum

Valhalla Street-Theatre are hosting a special event in the beautiful surroundings of The Courtyard at North Down Museum, Bangor on Sunday 5 March. ‘Tales of Down’ will bring stories of the local area to life through animated storytelling and re-enactments.

Salty and Sandy, the hapless smugglers will be entertaining the kids with activities and a dressing up box and young folks might even get to 'walk the plank', as well as traditional games, such as hoops, skipping ropes and juggling balls

Traditional Ropemakers will demonstrate how ropes are made and explain what an important commodity ropes were in the past and try your hand at a traditional pole lathe. A highlight of the event will be Andrew Davidson's composition of music to accompany the traditional ballad of Betsy Gray.

Speaking about the event, Emily Crawford, Arts and Heritage Manager for Ards and North Down Borough Council said: “Join us in The Courtyard at North Down Museum for this engaging afternoon of storytelling provided by Valhalla Street Theatre. You’ll hear the tale of Betsy Gray amongst other local stories of interest along with traditional craft demonstrations and games to entertain younger audiences. It should be a great afternoon.”

Enjoy lunch or a coffee at Coffee Cure and immerse yourself in an afternoon of Tales of Down. The event will run from 2pm – 4pm. Admission is free.

Please note this event is outdoors, so visitors are asked to dress for the weather.