Hey,
For anyone considering coming over to NI over the summer months the Tall Ships will be back again in the 2009 Atlantic Challenge.
The Tall Ships last came to Belfast in 1991 when they berthed at Pollock Dock and were visited by 250,000 people. In August 2009 Belfast has been chosen to be the finish port for the Atlantic Challenge.
The Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009 will start in Vigo, Spain from where the fleet will race to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, en route to Bermuda. The fleet will then race to a port on the east coast of the USA for a series of races and cruises-in-company north via New York or Boston to Halifax, Canada. From there the fleet will race back across the North Atlantic to the finish in Belfast.
Dates:
Vigo, Spain Thu 30 April - Sun 3 May
Tenerife Thu 14 - Sun 17 May
Bermuda Fri 12 - Mon 15 June
Halifax, Canada Thu 16 - Sun 19 July
Belfast Thu 13 - Sun 16 August 2009
The Fleet of square-riggers and classic ships will race over 7000 nautical miles from Spain in May, via the Canaries and Bermuda, before travelling up the coast of North America and leaving Halifax for the long final leg to Belfast.
The purpose of the race is sail training for young people from all over the world, giving them the wonderful, unforgettable experience of sailing these magnificent ships and fostering friendship and understanding between different nationalities and backgrounds.
The CelebrationsAlong the quaysides of the city will be packed full of fun and excitement: music, street theatre, food markets, fireworks, and performances suitable for all the family.
The last visit of the Tall Ships was in 1991, it lured in excess of 400,000 visitors and even more are expected this time.
They will be joined for what will be a truly international experience with thousands of ships’ crew arriving in Belfast to join in the fun.
Go to
here for more information.
Belfast Maritime Festival, Tall ships, street entertainers, markets: 13th-16th August
Jan 30 2009, 07:16 AM
