The Belfast Telegraph is joining forces with this summer’s massive Tall Ships event as its official media supporter.

The port of Belfast will be transformed to host the grand finale celebrations of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge from August 13-16 when thousands of people are expected to flock to both sides of the River Lagan for the massive four-day festival.

Those attending will have the opportunity to not only see the majestic Tall Ships but to experience four days of fun-packed family excitement as part of the Belfast Maritime Festival.

The board of Belfast Tall Ships announced today that the Belfast Telegraph is the official media supporter for the Belfast Maritime Festival 2009.

Dr Gerard O’Hare, chairman of the Tall Ships Festival board, said: “The return of the Tall Ships is an event which many people in Northern Ireland have looked forward to for years.

The last event in 1991 was significant in its impact but we anticipate a larger and more family focused event in 2009.

“With over 35 ships, the festival will welcome home the 25 trainees who have sailed from Halifax to Belfast on the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge and we are pleased that the Belfast Telegraph is partnering with us to promote this fantastic endeavour.”

Editor of the Belfast Telegra ph, Martin Lindsay, said: “The arrival of the Tall Ships is set to be the biggest event of the summer. We are delighted to be the official media supporter of such an exciting and eagerly anticpated festival. It will bring thousands of people to the city, boosting the local economy and cementing Belfast as a top-class tourist destination.”

The Belfast Telegraph is currently producing the Official Tall Ships programme to accompany the event — a 68-page glossy guide which will include site maps, event programmes of what’s happening where and when, details on all the visiting Tall Ships and crew details.

There will also be information on the local trainee volunteers who will be taking part in the final leg of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge by travelling across the Atlantic from Halifax, Canada, to Belfast.

The programme will also give details of the Parade of Sail when Belfast will bid the Tall Ships a final farewell as they journey back to their home ports. In 1991 when the Tall Ships visited Belfast tens of thousands of people packed the lough shore to watch the spectacular scenes of the majestic fleet leaving and the same is expected 18 years later.

Did you visit the Tall Ships back in 1991? If you have photographs or special memories email them to vo’hara@belfasttelegraph.co.uk or charrison@belfasttelegraph.co.uk.