Derry Mayor Brendan Stevenson celebrates with the Derry Clipper crew on its arrival at Foyle Marina, Photos: Joe Boland/North West Newspix
Several thousand people lined Derry’s quayside this morning to welcome home the victorious Derry “LondonDerry” Doire yacht.
The Derry entry, which yesterday won the 14th race in the round-the-world challenge, was escorted to the Foyle Marina by a flotilla of around 20 boats, including the Lough Swilly Lifeboat from Buncrana, the home-town of skipper Sean McCarter.
Several thousand cheered and waved as the yacht docked to the sound of fireworks and “Danny Boy” and “The Town I Love So Well,” performed by the combined choir form Long Tower and Christ Church.
Skipper Sean McCarter is welcomed home by Derry Mayor Brenda Stevenson.
Mayor of Derry, Cllr Brenda Stevenson, was on hand to “pop” the champagne and cases of Guinness were “at the ready” for the crew which had been “dry” since leaving New York just over two weeks ago.
Speaking before coming ashore, Sean McCarter said he was “overwhelmed” by the welcome.
He said: “We always knew it was going to be something special, but this is more than we expected.”
Also on board was Derry woman, Breidge Boyle, whose family had hung a banner on the quayside to welcome her home.
Breidge, a researcher at the University of the Ulster, said she was looking forward to being reunited with her family.
The 52-year-old former nurse, from the Marlborough area of city, paid tribute to her skipper.
She said: “Sean put in a lot of hard work and the win is a bonus, the cherry on the cake and it is all down to Sean.”
Andrew Taylor, the crew member who fell overboard in the North Pacific, said he was also looking forward to meeting with his family.
He said: “I’m fit and healthy. This is a big moment for me. I have spoken to my family over the phone but I have not seen them for months.”
Breidge Boyle’s family with their banner welcoming her home.
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