Showcase of sail bound or Belfast

Excitement is mounting for the Belfast Maritime Festival, Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 which will be sailing into Belfast from August 13-16.

The festival promises to have something for everyone as Dr Gerard O’Hare, chairman of the Tall Ships board explained:

“The festival will be offer a fantastic array of activities and entertainment for children, families, sailing enthusiasts and everyone looking for a good day out. There will be continental markets; a seafood festival; exhibitions; fun fairs; concerts at Custom House Square; fireworks and much more. It promises to be one of the most memorable and exciting events in 2009.”

 

An estimated 400,000 visitors are expected to welcome no less than 10 ‘Class A’ Tall Ships and at least thirty other smaller vessels, crewed by almost 1,000 men and women from all over the world, including over 40 trainees from N. Ireland who will have sailed from as far away as Halifax, Nova Scotia. The festival I expected to leave a legacy of more than £1million investment in marine infrastructure and will also help raise awareness for four maritime charities namely the RNLI www.rnli.org.uk; The Marine Society and Sea Cadets www.ms-sc.org; Ocean Youth Trust Ireland www.oyti.org and Belfast Lough Sailablilty www.ryasailability.org.uk. 

 

For further information log onto www.gotobelfast.com or contact the Belfast Welcome Centre on 0044 (0) 28 9024 6609.