Friends of Bangor Abbey

Public benefits

All of our activities flow directly from our charity’s purposes, are capable of being demonstrated and are beneficial and not harmful. We meet the Public Benefit in the following ways: Public Element: our activities are for the purpose of raising awareness and understanding of Christian religious beliefs and practices, assisting in the maintenance

and fabric of Bangor Abbey church and environs in order to preserve, protect and promote it as a place of Christian worship. We also seek to promote the conservation and protection of the historical site at Bangor Abbey and all architectural structures and environment features within the site including the adjacent graveyard for the benefit of the general public. Studying and encouraging the study of history relating to Bangor Abbey. Raising awareness among the general public in the area of benefit and beyond and encouraging appreciation of and knowledge of the historical and cultural heritage of the site and its environs in the area of benefit. The activities we run enable the wider public in Ards and North Down, and Northern Ireland and beyond, to gain an appreciation of, and understanding of the Christian religion, in particular the historical contribution to cultural heritage arising from (1) the importance of Bangor Abbey throughout Western Europe in early mediaeval times, and the contribution that Irish monks who travelled to continental Europe made to the foundations of Christendom that continues to influence the lives of all Europeans to this day; and (2) the influence of the Plantation of Ulster on the religious and cultural life of Bangor and Northern Ireland, in particular the settlement of James Hamilton, arguably the founder of modern Bangor, who restored the Abbey Church in 1617; (3) promote awareness of Christian belief and practices in the present day. All our activities are open to the general public without discrimination of any kind.

What your organisation does

Friends activities include ....... Trips to ecclesiastical sites in Britain and Ireland. Lectures & illustrated talks on theology and history, Musical events, Guided tours of the Abbey and Graveyard and Fund raising. Recently the Friends have made contributions to the restoration and maintenance of the graveyard.