The Foyle Maritime Festival makes its highly anticipated return to the banks of the River Foyle next week alongside the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend the maritime festival, with the landmark event set to take place from Wednesday 20 to Sunday 24 July following a three-year hiatus.
Visitors from across the world will descend on Ireland’s only Walled City for a programme packed with entertainment, activities and interactive events.
The theme for this year’s festival is ‘What Lies Beneath’, which focuses on the natural beauty of our oceans, rivers and lakes and the responsibility we have to protect this aquatic wonderland by shining a light on critical environmental issues and the impact of climate change.
The festival itself will feature spectacular large-scale props including an 18-metre-long whale, illuminated jellyfish and giant sea urchins.
Get up close with Qingdao and other Clipper Race yachts at the marina
Punters can also look forward to an awe-inspiring display of light, sound, and performance, as well as a thrilling explosion of fireworks across the River Foyle.
The Queen’s Quay will be transformed into a hub of maritime magic, with various water activities, boat tours, food trails, workshops and live music planned. Disability access will also be provided by Foyle Sailability for a more inclusive experience, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.
The Loughs Agency will have a visible presence during the festivities, with a special marine-themed zone dedicated to educating and informing people of their duties through an immersive VR experience and an interactive trailer complete with a life-size basking shark and touch tank.
Meanwhile, the Foyle riverfront will become an international marina as the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is welcomed back for a fifth time.
Now in its 12 edition, this remarkable race is taken on by ordinary people who are pushed to their limits to achieve the extraordinary. Consisting of a gruelling 40,000-nautical-mile race around the world on a 70-foot racing yacht, visiting 15 ports over six continents in eleven months, the Clipper Race is an endurance test like no other.
The fleet is expected to arrive at the Maiden City from noon this Wednesday 13 July.
