Our 2026 Musical Tour of the North of Ireland included a stop in Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland. Situated on the banks of the River Bann, the town takes its name from a bridge built across the river in 1712. Although relatively young by Irish standards, Banbridge first appeared in recorded history around 1691. It developed at the crossing point where the main road between Belfast and Dublin spanned the River Bann, near the site of the original Old Bridge. Beginning as a coaching stop along this important route, Banbridge prospered and became a thriving center of Ireland’s linen industry.

One of the goals of our Musical Tours of Ireland is to “sing songs where they were written about.” During our visit to Banbridge, we carried on that tradition by performing at the Downshire Arms Hotel.