Sightseeing in Bangor - what to see. Complete travel guide

Bangor is the third largest town in Northern Ireland. This is a resort town with direct access to the Irish Sea. Bangor is an important port town with an active social and economic life. Despite quite a big number of residents and guests of Bangor, local beaches remain very clean. They were even awarded the Blue Flag label that marks only the cleanest and best beaches around the world. By the way, according to a survey conducted among residents of the region, Bangor is the best place to live in whole Ulster. Not far from the town, there is a notable place named the “Vale of Angels”. According to a local legend, this is the place where Saint Patrick met angles.

The history of the town started in the 6th century when a monastery was built here. Saint Comgall, who was born in Antrim and was serving as a soldier, was the founder of the monastery. When he decided to start his monastic life, the saint built the first settlement in the territory of modern Bangor. The town quickly became an important place for the whole country as a center of education. In the 8th and 9th centuries, Viking raids became frequent in the region. Despite this fact, many missionaries got their education in the monastery of Bangor.

When the first railroad appeared in the region, residents of Belfast started visiting this town frequently in order to enjoy clean air and refreshing sea breeze. Bangor was an important center of cotton production, and its port was one of the liveliest places in the area. Fortune favored Bangor, and so the town was actively developing. Quite an interesting fact – the town has an inimitable romantic atmosphere. According to one study, locals dedicate more time to their sexual life than other people in the UK. Because of this, Bangor is often referred to as the sexiest town in the United Kingdom. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

When getting yourself familiar with Bangor, don’t forget to visit the local abbey. In the Middle Ages, this monastery was famous as the “Light of the World”. Saint Columbanus, who is much respected in Ireland, was supposedly getting his education in this monastery before starting a mission in Europe. Unfortunately, not much is left from the original building nowadays. Dutch sailors almost completely destroyed the building in the 9th century. Three centuries later, St. Malachy tried to restore the monastery, but the abbey couldn’t recover completely.

Nowadays, this is an elegant monastery with strict lines and a tower with sharp spire built in the 14th century. There are still old cemeteries not far from the church. Having entered the building, visitors can see an image of Jesus Christ ascending to heaven, as well as the images of St. Comgall and Columbanus at Jesus’s feet.

The McKee Clock is one more important landmark in Bangor. You will find it at the foot of High Street, not far from the main haven. The area around the tower also has an unusual name – the McKee Clock Arena. The name of the clock is not random. In 1915, a local rates collector made the biggest donation to the tower building fund – roughly 200 pounds. The McKee Clock got its name after him. A truly miraculous event happened here during World War II. Nazis dropped a bomb right on the tower. However, much to everyone’s surprise, the clock got almost no damage. Nowadays, this is one of the most popular attractions in the town and a popular meeting place.

Are you interested in history? If yes, consider visiting the Grey Point Fort. This is a well-preserved fort located at Helen's Bay on the south side of Belfast Lough. The fort was built at the beginning of the 20th century in order to protect the region from enemy ships. In modern times, there is a museum open in the fort. It exhibits uniforms and medals that were common during World War I and II. Besides that, there is a photographic exhibition dedicated to these wars and bloody battles. Finally, a separate hall is dedicated to weapons used by local soldiers to destroy the enemy.

If you happen to visit Bangor during the last summer month, you can attend a local charity festival. The event is called the “Open House Festival”. This is a month-long festival packed with interesting activities and events. All funds raised during Open House are then donated to charity. Almost all squares of the town participate in the festival. They become the scenes for interesting concerts and performances during the daytime and at night. Local poets come to read their latest works, and comedians entertain the public with funny shows. Craftsmen come to offer their latest works.

In order to reach the Irish resort town of Bangor, it is better to take a train from Belfast. There are many regular trains that connect these two cities. If you prefer to travel by car or bus, you can always find both in Belfast. Comfortable daily buses connect Holywood and Bangor. Of course, tourists can always get a taxi that will take them to their destination point.