The spectacular Tall Ships have finally set sail for Belfast and their arrival will be marked with the largest international festival hosted in Northern Ireland for almost two decades.

Crews set to enjoy an “experience of a lifetime” include 25 trainee sailors from across the province who will ride the waves of the vast Atlantic waters.

Yesterday they were greeted by the magnificent fleet in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, as they arrived to take part in the final leg of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge.

The event, organised by Sail Training International, started in Vigo, Spain at the beginning of May.

The crews are expected to arrive in Northern Ireland in time for the grand finale celebrations which run from August 13-16.

A total of 12 Tall Ships will take part in the last part of the competition — and when they arrive in Belfast Harbour they will be met by another 30 ships from across the UK and Europe as part of the Belfast Maritime Festival.

It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of spectators will watch the Atlantic racing fleet arrive off Northern Ireland’s shores.

And by the time the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge race finally reaches Belfast’s Harbour, some 400,000 people will come and see them.

Dr Gerard O’Hare, chairman of the Belfast Tall Ships company, said: “It takes a whole community to welcome the world and we are ready to do just that from August 13 to 16.

“The Port of Belfast and waterfront will look amazing. Whether you stand at the Odyssey, or Clarendon Dock, looking north or south, you will see spars, masts and rigging, all the way up, and down the waters edge.”

Highlights of the festival will include fireworks, aerobatic displays, an international crew parade, live musical entertainment, continental markets, family fun zones and the closing parade of sail.

To ease congestion and help the environment Northern Ireland’s pubic transport authority, Translink, will be providing additional rail, bus and shuttle services to the festival.

Details are of the four-day extravaganza are available on the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau’s (BVCB) website at www.gotobelfast.com.

Or contact Belfast Welcome Centre on 028 9024 6609.

A Tall Ships supplement giving a complete guide to the festival will be available in the Belfast Telegraph tomorrow (Wednesday).

Did you visit the Tall Ships back in 1991? If you have photos or special memories, please email vo’hara@belfasttelegraph.co.uk.