Ahoy there Derry – the Foyle Maritime Festival is ready to set sail!
23 May 2024
With just five weeks to go, today saw the official launch of the internationally acclaimed Foyle Maritime Festival, a celebratory sea-faring extravaganza!
Set against the backdrop of one of the most stunning riverside locations in the country, the festival will see upwards of 150,000 visitors arrive in the city to enjoy a packed programme of nautical themed events running from Thursday June 27th – Sunday June 30th.
The Foyle Maritime Festival is one of the city’s flagship festivals, delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Tourism NI and Ulster University. This year’s programme promises to be spectacular with tall ships, maritime markets, live music and a stunning lighting show courtesy of Visual Spectrum.
Visitors will be invited to enter a 1.5mile bustling maritime village where they can enjoy boat tours, river races, the Legenderry Food experience, and an array of wonderful family friendly animation experiences and entertainment. The quayside will be transformed into an international pleasure ground featuring a big wheel, city beach, riverfront dining, festoon lighting, bespoke animation and vintage fairground rides. Find out more about Derry’s fascinating maritime history, its unique marine environment and the vital conservation work ongoing in the local area.
This year’s theme is Beyond Blue, and the festival will celebrate the natural beauty of our oceans and seas as well as explore the power and possibilities that these natural resources offer today’s society within the context of sustainability and the environment.
The momentum will build up over three days of activity to the beautifully atmospheric Saturday night Showcase event, when the River Foyle is the stage for a celebration of illumination from dusk until nightfall. The Quayside will be thronged as the historic tall ships set sail in a Parade of Light set against a backdrop of dramatic light pillars and dazzling illumination. As darkness settles, all eyes will move from the river to the sky, as a stunning fireworks display cascades over the water.
Looking ahead to the event, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue said: “There’s just a few weeks to go before the Foyle Maritime Festival takes over the quayside and it really is going to be something quite special. We welcomed over 150,000 visitors here in 2022 and I know the place will once again be thronged with visitors from all over the world, keen to sample some local hospitality.
“There will be so much to see and do, and the opportunity to explore the sights and sounds of our beautiful riverside, which will be a hive of maritime activity. I’m particularly looking forward to the live Maritime Melodies in the maritime village, and of course all the action on the water. Much of the activity is completely free, making it a great day out for families.”
Centre stage at the festival will be an impressive fleet of towering Tall Ships, which visitors can explore at their leisure over the four days and learn more about their fascinating history. Six stunning vessels will be there to view - the Brocklebank, Phoenix, Irene, Klevia, La Malouine and the Leader.
A new feature of this year’s programme will be the vibrant Carnival of Colours festival, with In Your Space Circus planning to bring their world class animation spectacle to the festivities along the quayside.
Foyle Maritime Festival is delighted to also announce that the Get Up’ Street Art Jam will also join the festivities this year. The event will feature a range of international, national and local street artists who will showcase their skills in a series of transformative live art pieces, on and alongside the riverfront. It will also include the live creation of the tallest mural in N. Ireland, which will come to life during the first three days of the festival.
The popular LegenDerrry Street Food Festival will also return for the duration of the event, bringing an exciting showcase of local street food, live DJ sets and a unique dining experience.
For additional elements to programming and regular updates on the 2024 Foyle Maritime Festival visit foylemaritime.com