Photosales
niJobfinder
niCarfinder
Home Delivery
Propertynews
Tall Ships: A carnival day awash with visitors
Friday, 14 August 2009
More pictures
Tens of thousands of people swapped dry land to try out their sea legs yesterday making the opening of the Belfast Maritime Festival a huge success.
>>Click More Pictures to launch gallery
Organisers said attendance figures had “far exceeded” initial expectations with unconfirmed reports indicating upwards of 100,000 visitors in the first day. Traders also reported a very busy day.
Visitors both young and old travelled from across the country to the city centre for the first day of the major international event.
Following the official opening queues to climb on board the many Tall Ships docked along the banks of the Lagan grew, with young and old wanting to view the magnificent vessels. Among the most popular to climb on board were The Bounty and The Europa.
During the opening ceremony all captains and crews were welcomed to the city and Belfast Lord Mayor Naomi Long said the 400,000 visitors expected throughout the festival will leave with a “lifetime of memories”.
Ms Long said: “It has been a a long held ambition of Belfast City Council to bring Tall Ships back to the city since the last highly successful visit in 1991.
“This will be the biggest event that Belfast has ever hosted and the single biggest event on this island this year. 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, particulary our own young people who have sailed across the Atlantic, and all our visitors from all over the world.”
The first day’s celebrations concluded last night with a spectacular fireworks display over the Lagan.
Thousands more are expected to pour into the city today to visit the ships, although forecasters have warned that the weather is set to deteriorate.
The city is preparing for almost half a million people, including almost 90,000 international visitors, during the four-day festival.
A carnival atmosphere quickly spread with thousands of people visiting the continental markets and enjoying the family fun and entertainment.
Tourism Minister Arlene Foster described the Tall Ships Challenge as one of the most “important events in Northern Ireland this year”.
“Hosting the Tall Ships places Belfast and the whole of Northern Ireland on the international stage and truly brings our unique maritime heritage to life.” she said. The last Tall Ship to sail into the city was Tenacious which travelled from Southampton.
On board was 18-year-old Chris Thompson from Larne who said he was delighted to be back in Northern Ireland.
“I had a great time, but when we were sailing back into Belfast Lough I began jumping for joy. I was glad to make it home.”
Leanne Kingston (18) from north Belfast who was on The Europa said she had the experience of a lifetime.
“It was great fun. This was the longest voyage I had been on, crossing the Atlantic. It was a lot bigger, a lot better and made so many friends.”
Leisure Minister Nelson McCausland said 18 years after the first visit by the Tall Ships demonstrates how much the city has developed.
“It took a leap of faith and imagination to bring the Tall Ships to Belfast in 1991.
“The event captured the imagination of all involved and encouraged the public and |private sector to develop the port and invest in important infrastructure work which supported Belfast's development and attracted other maritime events.
“Above all this event has demonstrated what we can do when we work together.”
Video
Quick links
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
What you can see today
Queen's Quay
Funfair
Northern Ireland Fire and |Rescue Interactive Zone
Continental Market
BBC 'Bang goes the Theory'
BBC Headroom
BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Community Bus
NIEA Expo
University of Ulster Coastal and Marine Research Exhibition
Facepainters, Caricaturist and Balloon Modellers
Laserquest for over eights
Climbing Wall
Clarendon Dock
Continental Market
RNLI Interactive Zone
Inflatables
Climbing Wall
Sand Sculpture
Softplay area for under fives
Live music from the stage
Street Theatre
Sailability and RYC model yacht displays
Storytelling
Maritime crafts
Facepainters, Caricaturist and Balloon Modellers
Wii Fun
Albert Quay
Funfair
Continental Market
UK Strongest Man
Royal Marine Band Performance
- Text Size
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