Be part of the 2026 first TEDx Bangor and witness ideas that could shape what comes next
Why Bangor?
TEDx Bangor started with a dream and a question that would not go away: why has Bangor never had its own TEDx event? For Kevin O’Reilly, a TEDx Speaker, Communications Performance Coach, and founder of Thrive Now Group, that question stayed in his mind for a long time. Kevin has spent years helping individuals in business, leaders and entrepreneurs find their voice, tell their story and step forward with confidence. Along the way, a bigger vision began to take shape — to bring a TEDx event to Bangor and create a stage where powerful ideas and real stories could be shared with the community.
The vision for TEDx Bangor grew from that belief. It grew from a passion for ideas worth sharing, from a desire to create a stage for meaningful stories, and from a belief that Bangor, along with the wider Ards and North Down area, is more than ready for an event that brings people together in a new way. Set beside the sea, shaped by community and full of potential, Bangor is the perfect place for conversations that inspire change, connection and possibility.
TEDx Bangor is being built to do more than host talks. It is being created to bring people together, spark networking, encourage fresh thinking, and give speakers a platform to share stories and ideas that could change lives and ultimately, the world.
As the first TEDx event of its kind in Bangor, this is the beginning of something meaningful — and, we hope, something that will grow and return for many years to come.
The Experience
The Event Details..
Friday 9th October | Doors Open 8.45am - 4.30pm (Full days event)
Space Theatre Auditorium, SERC Bangor Campus | Castle Park Road, Bangor, Co Down, BT20 4TD
TEDx-Style Talks
The programme will feature short, carefully prepared talks in the spirit of TEDx, designed to share powerful ideas in a clear, engaging, and memorable way.
These talks will vary in length ranging up to 18 mins in 4 sessions across the day.
Conversation Breaks
In line with TEDx event design, the day will include breaks between sessions so attendees can reflect, discuss ideas and continue conversations sparked from the stage.
Refreshments & Lunch Included
Tea, coffee and scones will be available on arrival to help guests settle in, meet others, and prepare for a day of ideas and inspiration.
Lunch will be included as part of the event experience, creating time for conversation, networking, and connection between sessions.
Afternoon refreshments will be served and water available throughout the day.
More Details to Come
As this is the first TEDx event in Bangor, the full speaker line-up and running order will be revealed in stages as the event develops.
What attendees can expect, however, is a thoughtful multidisciplinary programme, a strong sense of place, and an event experience designed to bring together people from Bangor, Ards and North Down and beyond to hear ideas that could change lives and ultimately the world. TEDx events are independently organised and each one is unique to its local community, which gives TEDx Bangor the opportunity to reflect the spirit, people and potential of their hometown and area in a meaningful way.