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Thousands explore Tall Ships in Belfast
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Shiver me timbers: Nine-year-old Jack Bennett from Killyleagh in pirate costume for the Tall Ships yesterday
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Tens of thousands of visitors traded dry land for the wooden decks of the world-famous Tall Ships in Belfast today as the city welcomed the historic fleet at the end of its epic trans-Atlantic race.
Forty vessels tied up their main sails and dropped anchor at the quayside to begin a four-day visit.
Not since the Titanic rolled down its slipway almost 100 years ago had such a crowd gathered at the city's docks. But this time it was to wave hello, not goodbye.
With the rain holding off, tourists and locals alike flocked to the regenerated dockside to step aboard for a look round the impressive triple-masted boats, which hail from as far afield as Uruguay and Brazil.
It wasn't all plain sailing at the international event, with many visitors complaining of long waits for shuttle buses to ferry them to the quay.
Bus and train operator Translink said every available vehicle was in service and asked people to be patient.
However, with nearly half a million expected to descend on the harbour during the Tall Ships festival, queues are unlikely to get any shorter.
Belfast is the last port of call for the ships that took part in the arduous voyage across the Atlantic and back, which is staged every eight to 10 years.
They left Halifax, Nova Scotia, last month as part of a loop which began in Vigo in Spain and took in Tenerife, Bermuda, Charleston and Boston in the US.
A number of young people from Northern Ireland crewed one of the boats - the Europa - on the ocean trip.
Leanne Kingston, 18, from Belfast, said it was the experience of a lifetime.
"We all stuck together and looked out for each other and made sure we were all okay," she said.
"Coming through the storms people think it would be really scary, but it was really fun, clinging to the sides and clinging to each other trying not to fall over. Half of us are covered in bruises from head to toe but we don't care because we had a good time anyway."
Belfast beat off competition from other European cities to win the right to welcome the fleet after its final leg.
The last Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge race was nine years ago and the only other occasion the ships visited Belfast was in 1991.
Lord Mayor Naomi Long predicted the festival would blow £10 million into the sails of the local economy.
"This will be the biggest event that Belfast has ever hosted and the single biggest event on this island this year," she said.
"We will have visitors from all over the world and they will enjoy the warmth and hospitality for which Belfast people are renowned.
"Lifelong memories will result from this weekend, not just for the people who live in this great city but also for the crews, particularly our own young people who have sailed across the Atlantic, and all our visitors from all over the world."
Around a dozen of the ships completed the whole race across the Atlantic with the rest joining up with the fleet for the finale.
The significance of the event was restated with the appearance of three Stormont ministers at the opening ceremony. Enterprise minister Arlene Foster, Culture, Arts and Leisure minister Nelson McCausland and Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie all expressed hope for a successful festival.
Meanwhile, chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners Len O'Hagan said the event provided a fabulous opportunity to showcase the city.
Dr Gerard O'Hare, chair of the Belfast Tall Ships Board said the redevelopment work at the docks would leave a lasting legacy.
"Looking around the Port of Belfast today and seeing this fantastic transformation makes me very proud and we hope that the hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoy this special experience," he said.
The festival, which is free to visit, also consists of a range of free activities and entertainment, including fireworks, continental markets, funfairs and concerts, all based around the docks area.
Quick links
Video
For more Tall Ships news go to belfasttelegraph.co.uk/tallships
Event Map: What's on and where to find it
Order the programme here
For more information log onto www.gotobelfast.com
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Comments
102 Comments
Get a grip and stop complaining. You want a proper event be prepared to put your hand in your pocket. Its called entertainment.
The Tall Ships helps to send the signal to the world that Belfast has changed and is moving forward. Perhaps the ridiculous early closing times in Belfast will now be looked at!!
Posted by Amadán | 21.08.09, 22:41 GMT
Seriously and without any sarcasm, I have never in my travels seen a city less cultured than Belfast.
City of Intolerance is a title which Belfast would win hands down. Reading the Belfast Telegraph on a regular basis, most of the time I am pretty speechless by what goes on. I had to check my calendar to see if it was April Fool's day. Actually, you couldn't make this stuff up if you tried!!!!
Posted by ex-pat, Canada | 21.08.09, 21:05 GMT
The local media made this event out to be bigger than the olympics and the world cup put together, Belfast city of culture, stop it BT my ribs hurt.
Posted by rn | 21.08.09, 18:01 GMT
look around and what do you see? flags flags and more flags, tribalism at its worst, until this practice ceases we should get nothing!!!
Posted by sean from co down Ireland | 21.08.09, 17:48 GMT
I don't want to seem like a naysayer, but a visit from a few ships once every 18 years does not make Belfast a city of culture. How can it be? One theatre, no fully operational museums, a derelict shipyard about to become an upmarket industrial and housing estate.
Posted by Michael Love | 21.08.09, 16:39 GMT
Belfast........city of culture?? Nelson Mc Causland......Minister for culture. Sometimes I think I must be living in a parallel universe
Posted by mark | 21.08.09, 14:20 GMT
Desy - seriously mate, you need to get out more.
Posted by mistercee | 21.08.09, 13:55 GMT
Ha! city of intolerance to other cultures would suit belfast more
Posted by michael fallon | 21.08.09, 13:12 GMT
As Tall Ship events go - this was poor and relied on tacky markets and fun fairs together with hype from the media to turn it into an attraction. Maybe that's what the people of NI want but I cant help feeling they deserve better. There were very few proper tall ships in Belfast, contrast it to the classy spectacular event run in the city of Waterford in 2005 when the ships were the event. Quayside entertainment was quirky and different, local existing businesses catered for all needs without any need fore continental markets. The park and ride carparks and transport operated incredibly smoothly with none of the problems Belfast encountered. There were in excess of 90 ships (exactly how many did Belfast end up with?) and they are returning to Waterford in 2011. Maybe those who are trying to attract them back to Belfast should take a trip down to see a true cultural event!
Posted by Alistair | 21.08.09, 13:11 GMT
a city of culture generally has a more than a few galleries and museums open to the public rather than all shut for refurbishment, along with a thriving arts scene. belfast just isn't there yet. it will get there in future but it's a long way off i'm afraid.
Posted by rachel | 21.08.09, 13:01 GMT
Back to the subject at hand... why would Belfast be selected as leading NI's bid to be UK Capital of Culture? Derry's Walls are 400 years old that day, 23 acres sites like Ebrington are subject to arts led regenerated and there is a disproportionate level of arts activity in the City.
Belfast has tried and failed before, time to try something new surely?
Posted by Border Hopper | 21.08.09, 11:13 GMT
How about examining the reasons behind Belfast's previous failed bid for the City of Culture before launching another application with no financial backing?
Posted by Bemused | 21.08.09, 10:54 GMT
If BCC is serious about city of culture they have to stop mucking about with arts funding, we get less per capita than any other part of the UK.
Posted by Jambo | 21.08.09, 10:36 GMT
City of Culture? Ha ha. I can't stop laughing. That's a cracker. It's the way the Tele tells them.
Posted by billy boy | 21.08.09, 09:56 GMT
The tall ships were amazing, the rest of the over priced rubbish wasn't. In 1991 when they came here there wasn't any need for all the uneeded extras.
Posted by rn | 20.08.09, 09:18 GMT
I just read that the tall ships may come back in 2015 i hope they do and although i dont want to wish my life away i really hope they do come back and we can all enjoy another great time and just imagine what Belfast will be like then as we have showed what we can do if we work together. look what this city is like now even compared to 1991 when the first came and think what its going to be like in 2015 with the signature progect finished and all the other thigs that is happening in our great city and i agree why not bring the commenwealth games or something like that here come on Belfast we can do it.
Posted by Desy | 20.08.09, 00:55 GMT
For Godsake, can't anyone say they don't like something without being torn to pieces for "moaning"? Awwww, did someone hate the festival you loved? Big deal, build a bridge and get over it. Not everything in this world goes nice and perfect for everyone. Everyone hates some things. They have the right to complain about it just like you have the right to say you loved it. No-one forces you to read the comments or even reply saying that they are "moaning". By the way, I do realise I am "moaning" as most of you would say, so don't bother pointing that out.
Posted by Sandra Sandrason | 19.08.09, 16:57 GMT
Re Stewie Griffen
Bemused has a right to his opinion & thoughts just as much as anyone else. You obviously enjoyed dressing up that day as a pirate. ps Are you in the show Family Guy?
Posted by Studly Lovebucket | 19.08.09, 12:26 GMT
go down to belfast docks there is plenty of ships down there.... every day too
Posted by chery | 18.08.09, 23:31 GMT
Tues 8pm...am still standing on Bangor coastal path...tall ships were supposed to pass about 2 pm Sunday....saw one and then nothing since....have they left port ?
I'm sure it will be a fantastic spectacle when they sail past in a flotilla.....
Posted by Tyred Wayting | 18.08.09, 20:41 GMT
102 Comments