Waterford Tall Ships Festival
On Thursday, more than 50 tall ships will dock on Waterford’s quays as part of what is billed as Ireland’s biggest summer festival in 2011. More than 500,000 people are expected to visit the city over four days, generating an estimated €30 million. Last held in Waterford in 2005, the festival has broadened its appeal, as well as providing a new multimillion-euro jetty better able to accommodate the ships.
The opening ceremony will feature Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the illusionist Keith Barry, but it’s the festival’s musical line-up that has attracted most attention, with 3,000 free tickets for each headline performance having long since been snapped up. These shows, spread over four stages, feature Bryan Ferry (Thursday), The Waterboys supported by local band O Emperor (Friday) and Sharon Shannon (Saturday).
A programme of free events including street performance, comedy, helicopter rides, parades and nightly firework displays will complement a fringe festival and an artisan crafts and food village.
The tall ships race sees a fleet from 12 countries set sail from Waterford on Sunday, July 2nd, along Ireland's south, west and north coasts to Greenock, in Scotland. Celtic Mist,the yacht owned by the late Charles Haughey, is this year's only Irish entry.