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18/06/2007
Belfast to celebrate Maritime Festival
Belfast’s close links with the sea are to be celebrated at the end of this month when the city hosts the second annual Belfast Maritime Festival, organised by Belfast City Council and the Port of Belfast.
As part of the build up to the visit of the Tall Ships Trans-Atlantic Challenge in 2009, seven of Europe’s most spectacular ships will be sailing into the heart of Belfast over the weekend of Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July.
Flagship of the mini-fleet will be the majestic ‘Grand Turk’. The ship will be familiar to television viewers, as it featured in a host of acclaimed programmes including ‘Hornblower’, ‘Longtitude’ and ‘Coast’.
The Swedish built ‘Zebu’, one of the last traditional sailing ships to have circumnavigated the globe, will be returning to Belfast, as will another Swedish vessel, the ‘Ruth’, the ‘Kaskelot’ from Greenland and Ireland’s own replica famine ship, the ‘Jeanie Johnston’, the Dutch-built ‘Artemis’ and the ‘Thalassa’ will also be on show.
The Tall Ships will be berthed on both sides of the River Lagan, at the Clarendon Dock and Queen’s Quay and at Donegall Quay, with the 'HMS Albion' and 'SS Nomadic' berthed at nearby Pollock Dock. A free shuttle bus service will operate between the two sides of the river.
All the ships will be open to the public between 11am and 5pm each day.
Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers, said: “This promises to be a fantastic event for all the family. With the schools breaking up just a few days earlier, it will be a great way to start the summer holidays, with spectacular sailing ships berthed in the heart of Belfast, events on the water and land, fine food and great music – and most of it for free.”
Trevor Anderson, the Port of Belfast’s Operations Director added: “It is not often that people in Northern Ireland get the opportunity to relive the days when sailing ships graced the oceans. The Port of Belfast is delighted that so many of the world’s great sailing vessels will be in Port next month for what promises to be an impressive maritime spectacle.”
Other events taking place over the weekend include a three-day Continental Market, music to suit all tastes, the first Sailortown and Lagan Watersports ‘Come and Have a Go’ event.
For further information on the Belfast Maritime Festival visit the website on www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events or call the Belfast Welcome Centre on 028 9024 6609.
(JM/KMcA)
As part of the build up to the visit of the Tall Ships Trans-Atlantic Challenge in 2009, seven of Europe’s most spectacular ships will be sailing into the heart of Belfast over the weekend of Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July.
Flagship of the mini-fleet will be the majestic ‘Grand Turk’. The ship will be familiar to television viewers, as it featured in a host of acclaimed programmes including ‘Hornblower’, ‘Longtitude’ and ‘Coast’.
The Swedish built ‘Zebu’, one of the last traditional sailing ships to have circumnavigated the globe, will be returning to Belfast, as will another Swedish vessel, the ‘Ruth’, the ‘Kaskelot’ from Greenland and Ireland’s own replica famine ship, the ‘Jeanie Johnston’, the Dutch-built ‘Artemis’ and the ‘Thalassa’ will also be on show.
The Tall Ships will be berthed on both sides of the River Lagan, at the Clarendon Dock and Queen’s Quay and at Donegall Quay, with the 'HMS Albion' and 'SS Nomadic' berthed at nearby Pollock Dock. A free shuttle bus service will operate between the two sides of the river.
All the ships will be open to the public between 11am and 5pm each day.
Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers, said: “This promises to be a fantastic event for all the family. With the schools breaking up just a few days earlier, it will be a great way to start the summer holidays, with spectacular sailing ships berthed in the heart of Belfast, events on the water and land, fine food and great music – and most of it for free.”
Trevor Anderson, the Port of Belfast’s Operations Director added: “It is not often that people in Northern Ireland get the opportunity to relive the days when sailing ships graced the oceans. The Port of Belfast is delighted that so many of the world’s great sailing vessels will be in Port next month for what promises to be an impressive maritime spectacle.”
Other events taking place over the weekend include a three-day Continental Market, music to suit all tastes, the first Sailortown and Lagan Watersports ‘Come and Have a Go’ event.
For further information on the Belfast Maritime Festival visit the website on www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events or call the Belfast Welcome Centre on 028 9024 6609.
(JM/KMcA)
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