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18/08/2009
Tall Ships Return Sought
Belfast is set to build on the success of last weekend's Tall Ships extravaganza, to ensure that the event returns to the city in the near future.
Over the four days of the Belfast Maritime Festival, an estimated 800,000 people – the equivalent of half the population of Northern Ireland - saw the 40 magnificent sailing vessels.
More than half a million people visited the actual event in Belfast Harbour, (with the famous Bounty pictured here by Brian McCalden) and a further 250,000 lined the shores to watch Sunday's Parade of Sail.
Even before the ships reach their home ports, Belfast City Council has revealed that initial discussions have already been held with Sail Training International, the organisers of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, about the possibility of bringing the event back to the city at the earliest opportunity.
"It is vital that we build on the huge success of this past weekend, and work to ensure that the Tall Ships return to Belfast with all due speed," commented Councillor William Humphrey, Chairman of the Development Committee, which oversees the council's civic events programme.
"This past weekend truly placed Belfast on the international map, and once again showed that we are more than capable of organising successful events of a global scale.
"Of the 800,000 people who came to Belfast to see the ships, 100,000 were holiday-makers who had made the trip especially to be here for the event," he said.
"More than 1,000 crew members also stayed in Belfast, some of them for ten days, and they all said that they received the friendliest and warmest welcome of any port.
"Given that this year they had already visited Tenerife, Bermuda and Boston, that is quite an accolade," he said.
Seeking a third Tall Ships' visit, he said: "We must follow their example and make sure it is not another 18 years before this spectacular event once again is seen in Belfast.
"At the very least, we must apply ourselves to ensuring that the Belfast Maritime Festival becomes a highlight of our city's annual events calendar, with a view to building up to the return of the Tall Ships sooner rather than later," concluded Councillor Humphrey.
The visiting Tall Ships also reported record numbers of visitors on board: the Portuguese Navy vessel, Sagres, for example, reported it’s biggest ever visitor numbers in a single day.
The Energy Saving Trust Gateway to the Tall Ships, at Custom House Square, also had more than 36,000 visitors on one day alone.
It is estimated that 9,000 car parking spaces were used each day, with a total of 36,000 cars using the Park and Ride facilities, including an additional car park created by Belfast Harbour in just six hours on the first afternoon.
Translink employed 65 shuttle buses for the event, moving up to 100,000 people to, from and around the event sites.
See: Massive Goodbye For Tall Ships
(BMcC/KMcA)
Over the four days of the Belfast Maritime Festival, an estimated 800,000 people – the equivalent of half the population of Northern Ireland - saw the 40 magnificent sailing vessels.
More than half a million people visited the actual event in Belfast Harbour, (with the famous Bounty pictured here by Brian McCalden) and a further 250,000 lined the shores to watch Sunday's Parade of Sail.
Even before the ships reach their home ports, Belfast City Council has revealed that initial discussions have already been held with Sail Training International, the organisers of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge, about the possibility of bringing the event back to the city at the earliest opportunity.
"It is vital that we build on the huge success of this past weekend, and work to ensure that the Tall Ships return to Belfast with all due speed," commented Councillor William Humphrey, Chairman of the Development Committee, which oversees the council's civic events programme.
"This past weekend truly placed Belfast on the international map, and once again showed that we are more than capable of organising successful events of a global scale.
"Of the 800,000 people who came to Belfast to see the ships, 100,000 were holiday-makers who had made the trip especially to be here for the event," he said.
"More than 1,000 crew members also stayed in Belfast, some of them for ten days, and they all said that they received the friendliest and warmest welcome of any port.
"Given that this year they had already visited Tenerife, Bermuda and Boston, that is quite an accolade," he said.
Seeking a third Tall Ships' visit, he said: "We must follow their example and make sure it is not another 18 years before this spectacular event once again is seen in Belfast.
"At the very least, we must apply ourselves to ensuring that the Belfast Maritime Festival becomes a highlight of our city's annual events calendar, with a view to building up to the return of the Tall Ships sooner rather than later," concluded Councillor Humphrey.
The visiting Tall Ships also reported record numbers of visitors on board: the Portuguese Navy vessel, Sagres, for example, reported it’s biggest ever visitor numbers in a single day.
The Energy Saving Trust Gateway to the Tall Ships, at Custom House Square, also had more than 36,000 visitors on one day alone.
It is estimated that 9,000 car parking spaces were used each day, with a total of 36,000 cars using the Park and Ride facilities, including an additional car park created by Belfast Harbour in just six hours on the first afternoon.
Translink employed 65 shuttle buses for the event, moving up to 100,000 people to, from and around the event sites.
See: Massive Goodbye For Tall Ships
(BMcC/KMcA)
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13 August 2009
Trains 'Packed Out' For Tall Ships
There will be as many as half a million people in Belfast over the coming days for a glimpse of 40 majestic wooden ships during the four-day Tall Ships Maritime Festival. However, by noon on the first day, there were already reports that jam-packed trains on the Londonderry line were being forced to pass through stations without stopping.
Trains 'Packed Out' For Tall Ships
There will be as many as half a million people in Belfast over the coming days for a glimpse of 40 majestic wooden ships during the four-day Tall Ships Maritime Festival. However, by noon on the first day, there were already reports that jam-packed trains on the Londonderry line were being forced to pass through stations without stopping.
22 July 2014
Tall Ships Return
The Tall Ships event is to return to Belfast, following the city's hosting of the race in 1991 and 2009. Belfast Tall Ships 2015 is to be sponsored this year by Lidl Northern Ireland in a deal worth £300,000. The Tall Ships Races are organised by Sail Training International.
Tall Ships Return
The Tall Ships event is to return to Belfast, following the city's hosting of the race in 1991 and 2009. Belfast Tall Ships 2015 is to be sponsored this year by Lidl Northern Ireland in a deal worth £300,000. The Tall Ships Races are organised by Sail Training International.
25 November 2011
Tall Ships Sail Back Into Belfast
Belfast is to act as the starting point for The Tall Ships Races - an annual race series organised by Sail Training International - in just under three years' time.
Tall Ships Sail Back Into Belfast
Belfast is to act as the starting point for The Tall Ships Races - an annual race series organised by Sail Training International - in just under three years' time.
14 August 2009
Tall Ships Hailed A Success
Day one of the Belfast Maritime Festival has been a huge success. The first evening celebrations finished off last night with a spectacular fireworks display over the Lagan.
Tall Ships Hailed A Success
Day one of the Belfast Maritime Festival has been a huge success. The first evening celebrations finished off last night with a spectacular fireworks display over the Lagan.
27 January 2009
Belfast To Host Tall Ships
The Atlantic Tall Ship Challenge is sailing back to Belfast - five years after its bid to have the event return to the city was launched. NI Sports Minister Gregory Campbell today welcomed the news of Belfast's programme of events to mark the finale of the Atlantic Tall Ship Challenge 2009.
Belfast To Host Tall Ships
The Atlantic Tall Ship Challenge is sailing back to Belfast - five years after its bid to have the event return to the city was launched. NI Sports Minister Gregory Campbell today welcomed the news of Belfast's programme of events to mark the finale of the Atlantic Tall Ship Challenge 2009.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy morning with outbreaks of rain, heavy for a time, clearing east by midday. Then sunny spells with scattered showers through the afternoon, mostly around the north coast. Maximum temperature 9 °C.Tonight:Largely dry with clear spells at first, a few showers in the north and west. Becoming cloudier with rain spreading east through the early hours. Strong winds developing, coastal gales. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
