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music · Saturday 29 August 2026 · Evening 
Lisa Hannigan - Open House Festival
At Bangor Castle Walled Garden · Bangor Castle, Bangor, Co. Down
At Bangor Castle Walled Garden · Bangor Castle, Bangor, Co. Down
Lisa Hannigan brings her quietly extraordinary music to one of the most charming outdoor stages in Ireland this August. Performing at Bangor Castle Walled Garden as part of the 13th Open House Festival, this is an afternoon show in a genuinely lovely setting - seated, all-ages, and unhurried. If you know Hannigan’s work, you already know why this is worth making the journey. If you don’t, her three acclaimed solo albums - Sea Sew, Passenger and At Swim - have earned her a reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in Irish folk and song-writing, with Mercury Prize recognition to match. Co. Offaly songwriter Roesy opens the bill and will perform a handful of collaborations with Lisa during the set.
The Walled Garden at Bangor Castle is a covered outdoor stage - a stretch tent canopy keeps the rain off both audience and performers while keeping the open-air feel intact. Seating is unreserved, so arriving a little ahead of the 2pm start time gives you a pick of spots. Gates open at 1pm. The garden has a relaxed, bring-your-own atmosphere: there is no bar on site, so packing a flask or soft drinks is encouraged. The venue has accessible toilet facilities and provides a buddy scheme for those who need companion support. Bring a cushion or a blanket if the afternoon turns cool - the organisers suggest it. Hannigan’s sound tends toward the intimate, and the garden’s enclosed walls suit it well. Support from Roesy adds a warm Co. Offaly dimension to the afternoon.
Bangor is on the North Down coast, roughly 16 miles east of Belfast. By train it is a direct 30-minute run from Belfast Grand Central Station on the Bangor line - the event is flagged as train-friendly and Bangor Castle is a short flat walk from the railway station. By road, take the A2 from Belfast along the lough shore. Parking is available near the castle’s front entrance, and there is also ample free parking nearby in the town. The Walled Garden is at Valentine Road, Bangor Castle - the main castle grounds are signposted from the town centre.
Bangor seafront is worth an hour before or after the show - the marina, the coastal path, and the old bandstand in Ward Park are all within easy reach of the castle. The Open House Festival runs events across the town throughout August, so there is likely something else nearby the same weekend. There is more to see in Bangor and across Co. Down.
Heading to Bangor Castle Walled Garden in Bangor? Down has plenty more to see. Read the Bangor area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.