Huge crowds expected for Foyle Maritime Festival

Festival events take place along the city's quay

More than 100,000 people are expected in Londonderry over the next four days for a celebration of the city’s seafaring heritage.

The Foyle Maritime Festival gets underway on Thursday along a 1.5 mile stretch of the cityside’s riverfront.

Among the highlights are a Parade of Sail on the River Foyle, a fleet of Tall Ships and the festival's light and pyrotechnic Beyond Blue showcase finale.

Derry City and Strabane District Council's head of culture Aeidin McCarter said festival goers can expect an eclectic mix of events.

"It's an event that everybody loves and we are really excited to be hosting it,” she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"There are boats aplenty, there is a lot of stuff on - both on and off the water - with a showcase event on Saturday night that is going to be incredible."

The festival, last held in 2022, is one of the biggest events in Derry's calendar, she added, and has become a huge economic driver for the region.

Captain Roy Kerr pictured onboard Tall Ship La Malouine on the River Foyle

Captain Roy Kerr of Tall Ship La Malouine has travelled around the world in the vessel and said he is delighted to be in the Maiden City for the Maritime Festival.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle on Thursday, he said the ship has been decked out in fairy lights as part of the festival celebrations.

"We've had some of the lads up, like Daniel here, up on that 22 metre mast sticking the lights on," he said.

Captain Kerr said a job like that isn't for the faint-hearted but said his crew is more than up to the task and it is all systems go on deck.

He said despite the wet weather on Thursday, it will not dampen spirits onboard as the festival is well under way.

What’s happening at the Foyle Maritime Festival?

The festival programme includes live performances from NI Opera and Kila, DJ sessions, watersport taster events, the Legenderry Food Village, a Carnival of Colours and vintage funfair, as well as boat viewings and ship tours.

There will be six tall ships berthed along the quay while a pirate's pontoon is in place to entertain children during the four-day festival run.

There will be also a first look at the city's planned DNA Museum, which is due to open in 2026.

A number of Tall Ships and other vessels have been berthing in Derry ahead of the festival

The first performance of the new show by renowned NoFIT State Circus - titled Bamboo - and the Get Up Street Art Festival, a celebration of graffiti culture, are also taking place this weekend.

The festival’s flagship finale – Beyond Blue – takes place on Saturday and will "celebrate the power and poetry of our rivers, seas and oceans", organisers say.

Produced by Visual Spectrum, it promises a high-powered light display synchronized with pyrotechnics and music.

It gets under way at 22:00 BST on Saturday.

Are there road closures during the maritime festival?

Police have advised road users in Derry to expect some disruption.

“The focus of the festival is along The Quay area, which means there will be a road closure in the city centre and an impact on traffic,” PSNI Ch Insp Luke Moyne said.

“We’re encouraging people to follow traffic information and directional signs on approach to the city."

Queen’s Quay will be closed from Harbour Square to Queen’s Quay Roundabout from 20:00 on 24 June.

It reopens at 07:00 on 2 July.

The council is urging people to make use of parking facilities at Fort George and Magee College.

Strand Road car park is being used for accessible parking only.

The festival's showcase event begins at 22:00 on Saturday

Are there extra buses to the Foyle Maritime Festival?

There are a number of additional late-night bus and coach services on Saturday evening, Translink said.

These extra services leave Foyle Street bus station at 23:30 with destinations including Belfast, Coleraine, Dungiven, Limavady and Strabane, as well as a number of local routes.

Is the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race coming to Derry?

The race has been a key feature of the Foyle Maritime Festival over the years including in 2022 but is not coming to Derry this year.

Last year Derry and Strabane District Council confirmed they were in talks with race organisers for Derry to be a host port in 2024 but this did not materialise.