Ships ahoy!
Fair winds bring sailing ships from a bygone era to Belfast’s inaugural Maritime Festival
By Marie Foy
29 June 2006
Eight of Europe’s most magnificent sailing ships will grace Belfast’s quaysides this weekend as the city hosts its first Maritime Festival.
Taking advantage of a fair wind, the first of the ships to arrive was the ‘Ruth’ which docked at teatime on Tuesday.
The vessel was followed into port by the ‘De Gallant’ which arrived in the small hours of yesterday morning.
Both ships are temporarily docked at the Richardson Wharf before they move round to Donegall Quay closer to the weekend.
At breakfast time yesterday, the mighty ‘Zebu’ surprised morning commuters when it appeared under full sail off Carrickfergus at around 8am. The Swedish-built adventurer was met by escort vessels to complete the final leg of its journey before docking at Abercorn Basin, where it will be open for public viewing on Saturday and Sunday.
Over the next few days, ‘Ruth’, ‘De Gallant’ and ‘Zebu’ will be joined by the rest of the tall ships armada, including the majestic ‘Grand Turk’ and the ‘Tenacious’, the largest wooden ship afloat today.
Many will recognise the Grand Turk from the TV dramas ‘Hornblower’ and ‘Longitude’.
Tomorrow morning, the sailing vessels will be joined by two modern warships, the HMS Ramsey and the German frigate ‘Brandenburg’, which will provide the rare sight of steaming into Belfast together.
The tall ships will berth on both sides of the River Lagan, at the Abercorn Basin and Queen’s Quay (beside the Odyssey Pavilion) and at Donegall Quay, with the two naval vessels berthed at nearby Pollock Dock.
They will be open to the public between 10am and 5pm each day, and the two naval vessels will be open for visits on both afternoons. For operational reasons, access to all of the ships will be subject to certain restrictions.
There will be lots more to see, do and sample, including demonstrations and children’s activities by the RNLI, a seafood festival in the Odyssey Pavilion and a three-day Continental Market at Clarendon Dock.
Music to suit all tastes will include the ‘Rhythm in the City’ festival at Clarendon Dock and the annual Rockabilly Festival in nearby Barrow Square. Lagan Watersports will also host a fun “Come and Have a Go” event for all the family at Lanyon Place (beside the Waterfront Hall).
On the Saturday evening (July 1) there also will be a ‘Nightglow’ hot air display and a fireworks display to round off the first day of the Festival in style - weather depending of course.
More information is available from the Belfast Welcome Centre on (028) 9024 6609.
