THE much anticipated programme for the Foyle Maritime Festival was unveiled today revealing a packed programme of land and water based activities designed to entertain sea farers and landlubbers alike for ten days from July 9 – 17.
Top of the bill are Irish rock sensations The Riptide Movement who head up an impressive array of entertainment, food, animation and high octane water sports in this eclectic maritime celebration on the Foyle.
The river will be right at the centre of all the action, providing the stage for a whole host of nautical activities and providing a stunning backdrop to the bustling riverside markets, concerts and events set to draw tens of thousands to the city in July.
The festival events are based around the dramatic arrival of the twelve Clipper Race yachts, when the city welcomes home the crew of the Derry~Londonderry~Doire as they speed back up the Foyle for a huge homecoming welcome. This is the third time that Derry City and Strabane District Council has hosted a stopover event in this unique global sporting adventure. The70-foot ocean racing yachts will berth at the city’s marina, while the crew enjoy some local hospitality following their 40,000 nautical mile race around the globe as they near the conclusion of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2015-16.
As well as The Riptide Movement music lovers will be treated to a first class line up of entertainment throughout the festival including folk sensation Lisa Hannigan, Irish Classical star Zoe Conway, gypsy folk band Balkan Alien Sound, and a whole host of exceptional talent. Derry will once again officially become Music City from July 9-17, with an impressive collection of artists taking to the streets including homegrown favourite Soak, rock sensations The Strypes, and stars of America’s Got Talent, The Willis Clan.
Speaking ahead of the event Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Alderman Hilary McClintock, said the Foyle Maritime Festival was a fantastic showcase event for the region.
“As July approaches I know that anticipation is growing ahead of the Foyle Maritime Festival.
“The past two festivals have been exceptional and really established the city’s reputation as a thriving tourism hub.
“This year’s event promises to exceed all expectations in terms of the quality of the programme and the potential for the district in attracting visitors and boosting the local economy.
“I look forward to greeting the crew after their gruelling trans-Atlantic journey and I know they will receive a welcome to remember here in the city.
“Hailing from destinations across the globe, it’s our opportunity to showcase our famous hospitality to the Clipper Race teams, so they can carry the message home that the North West is a warm and vibrant visitor destination with so much to offer.
“And we send our best wishes to the Derry~Londonderry~Doire who have been doing us so proud in the race, as they embark on one of the final legs of their global journey, before returning home to a hero’s welcome.
“It will be a home coming to remember.”
Head of Culture with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Aeidin McCarter, said: “We are hugely excited to be working with Clipper Ventures once again in staging this stopover event.
“The name ‘Clipper’ has become synonymous with the city and I know there is great expectation ahead of this year’s Foyle Maritime Festival based on the success of previous years.
“And we won’t disappoint – the festival promises to offer the ultimate visitor experience and we are so looking forward to welcoming our international guests to the city.”
The programme includes a wide array of activities taking place at locations throughout the city.
The quayside will be transformed into a bustling seaside promenade with market stalls, funfairs, arts and crafts and fun for all the family.
And what Maritime Festival would be complete without some fish? The Clipper Kitchens will be literally stocked to the gills with some of the very best seafood from our local shores.
Things will be hotting up in Ebrington Square with live cookery demos, cook offs and other culinary entertainment.
Seafood fans will have the opportunity to try and buy some of the fine fishy fayre in the Clipper Race Food Pavilion, showcasing 40 local artisan suppliers, and the Clipper Race Food Village offering the best of Street Food from across Northern Ireland.
The beautiful River Foyle will set the scene for some adrenalin fuelled nautical displays, including dragon boat racing, wake-boarding and water skiing, or take to the river yourself to enjoy taster sessions in canoeing and sailing.
See first-hand what the Clipper Race crews have to endure in cramped conditions at sea with open boat tours of the Clipper yachts when they arrive in the city.
The festival concludes on Saturday evening July 16 before the Clipper Race fleet departure on Sunday, with a spectacular finale event – The Voyage of Sunniva.
Also see the dramatic events unfold as this medieval Irish Queen tells her story of sea faring adventure as she flees the perils of invasion and navigates her way to safety in a stunning spectacle of the natural elements.
Kila and Balkan Alien sound will provide the emotive musical narrative to this sensational light and aerial show.
Finally on Sunday the quayside will be thronged as the city bids farewell to the Clipper fleet as they set sail for the final leg of their journey to Dan Helder in the Netherlands.
The Parade of Sail will leave the city at 2pm for the race start in Greencastle and thousands are expected to turn out in both Derry and Greencastle to send them on their way.
For more information on the full programme of Foyle Maritime Festival events go towww.foylemaritimefestival.com
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