Photosales
niJobfinder
niCarfinder
Home Delivery
Propertynews
Tall Ships: Belfast spectacle that had 800,000 on board
Monday, 17 August 2009
More pictures
Belfast must build on the staggering success of the Tall Ships' visit which was enjoyed by an estimated 800,000 people over the course of just four days.
That was the message from the city's Lord Mayor Naomi Long after the maritime festival ended in spectacular style.
>>Click the image above to launch gallery
The 800,000 figure – twice the original forecast – represents close to half the population of Northern Ireland.
It includes an estimated 250,000 people who thronged to shoreline viewing points yesterday to watch the farewell Parade of Sail along Belfast Lough.
In an article for the Belfast Telegraph, the Lord Mayor stated: “We have so much to build on and so much to which we can look forward. Belfast is now widely regarded as a happening, must see city.
“This is Belfast’s moment and we have to build on the legacy of the most successful and biggest event our city has seen. I believe we can.”
The scramble for viewing points for the ships' departure caused traffic gridlock for a time along both sides of the Lough.
It appears the people of Belfast were on their best behaviour during the Tall Ships’ visit.
Police last night said there were only three arrests for disorderly behaviour and very few reports of any other crimes.
The 800,000 figure was released by Belfast City Council, who said it also included around 100,000 tourists.
In a press release, Mrs Long said: “The visitor figures truly are beyond our wildest expectations, with more than twice as many people attending the event as we originally had envisaged.
“The Tall Ships truly have put Belfast firmly on the map as a city more than capable of organising and hosting world class events, and I would like to congratulate everyone involved in this hugely successful and memorable weekend,” she added.
DUP Culture Minister Nelson McCausland told this newspaper: “This was a world class, iconic event. It was a tremendous family day for people in Northern Ireland and an opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland to the rest of the world.
“It shows that we are a country that is able to stage such events and should certainly be considered for others in the future. With events like this we can encourage visitors to come to Northern Ireland.”
Ulster Unionist Employment Minister Sir Reg Empey said events of recent days had shown the best and worst of Northern Ireland.
“The organisers of the Tall Ships visit are to be congratulated on a superb show, which was enjoyed by massive amounts of people.
“While this event was showing Northern Ireland off at its best, others this weekend were showing Northern Ireland at its worst, with sectarian attacks on Orange/Hibernian halls and burning down landmark buildings.
“While great progress has been made in this country, it is obvious that there are still pockets of dissent that are more interested in pursuing a narrow sectarian agenda than in making a positive contribution to our community that can help fight the renewed menace of unemployment. We have much work still to do!”
Video
- 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