Ships set sail for Belfast Maritime Festival

26 June 2006

Belfast`s close links with the sea are to be celebrated this weekend, when the city hosts the inaugural Belfast Maritime Festival, organised by Celebrate Belfast and the Port of Belfast, and supported by The Sheridan Group.

Eight of the world`s most spectacular tall ships will be sailing into the heart of Belfast, and will be welcoming visitors aboard this Saturday (July 1) and Sunday (July 2). They will include the largest wooden ship afloat, two beautiful Square Sail vessels and a star of the silver screen.

The majestic `Grand Turk` will be familiar to television viewers, as it has featured in a host of acclaimed programmes such as `Hornblower` (as Captain Horatio Hornblower`s flagship, `Indefatigable`), `Longitude` and the BBC`s recent `Coast`. She is a full-size replica of HMS Blandford, a Royal Navy frigate from the late 18th century.

The Swedish-built `Zebu` is one of the last traditional sailing ships to have circumnavigated the globe, while `Tenacious`, at 65 metres in length and displacing 690 tonnes, is the largest wooden tall ship of her kind in the world and is specifically designed to allow able bodied and physically disabled people to sail as equals. Ireland`s own `Jeannie Johnston` also will be on show.

A modern edge will be given to the event, with the visit of two naval vessels – the Royal Navy minehunter HMS Ramsey and the German frigate `Brandenburg`, which will be moored side by side.

The Tall Ships will be berthed 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. The Tall Ships 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.

Lord Mayor Pat McCarthy 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, on land and in the air, 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 world`s great sailing vessels will be in Port next month for what promises to be an impressive maritime spectacle."

Peter Curistan, Chairman of Sheridan Group, described the Maritime Festival as an exceptional addition to the Belfast calendar, and said: “I am delighted to be working alongside Belfast City Council and the Port to bring this marvellous festival to Queen`s Quay and the Odyssey Pavilion. Events like these are another important step in the process of the physical, economic and social regeneration of the Laganside area of the city".

There will be lots more to see, do and sample over the weekend, including demonstrations and children’s activities by the RNLI, a seafood festival in the Odyssey Pavilion, a three-day Continental Market at Clarendon Dock, and music to suit all tastes – including the `Rhythm in the City` festival at Clarendon Dock and the annual Rockabilly Festival in nearby Barrow Square. Lagan Watersports also will be hosting 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 of the first day of the Festival in style – weather depending of course.

There will be no parking facilities in and around Clarendon Dock. The main car park for the event will be at the Odyssey, from where Belfast City Council, in association with Translink, will be operating a Park`n`Ride shuttle service, leaving every 10 minutes between 10am and 10pm and serving Lanyon Place, Donegall Quay, Clarendon Dock and Pollock Dock. Access to the site also will be available on foot, via Corporation Street.

Further information on the Belfast Maritime Festival and the Small Ships Race, organised by Celebrate Belfast and the Port of Belfast, and supported by The Sheridan Group, is available from the Belfast Welcome Centre on (028) 9024 6609.

ENDS

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