The 'Saints and Scholars' section of the St Patrick's Trail, a new initiative by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to promote Northern Ireland's Christian heritage, was launched at Bangor Abbey. Interpretive sign boards sponsored by the Tourist Board have now been erected at three key sites - Bangor Abbey, First Bangor Presbyterian Church and St Columbanus Church of Ireland. The fourth 'stop' on the trail being North Down Museum which boasts several unique religious artifacts from the areas history.  The trail is an integral part of the wider Northern Ireland Tourist Board St Patrick Trail signature project.  The entire trail covers a sixty-mile long driving route taking in various St Patrick and Christian Heritage visitor sites within Northern Ireland of which Bangor is a significant part.  An information leaflet accompanying the trial is available from all sites on the trial along with Bangor Tourist Information Centre and other council information points. The venues featured will now have enhanced opening times to accommodate tourists and visitors. 

Bangor Abbey is open each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 1.00pm to 3.00pm during July and August.