EXCITEMENT BUILDS IN TOWN AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S SAILFEST
SAILFEST, ROUND IRELAND RACE AND TASTE OF WICKLOW ON THIS WEEKEND
Hundreds of tourists have started to arrive in Wicklow town for this weekend’s Volvo Round Ireland race and Sailfest.
The Volvo Round Ireland Yacht Race is held every second year and is Ireland’s premier offshore yacht race. This major event attracts yachts and crews from all over the world and this year 65 boats will be taking part making it the biggest race to date.
Some of the biggest and fastest will take part in this year’s race, including the UK’s fastest off-shore yacht, the spectacular Mod 70 Concise Ten.
Meanwhile renowned US sailor, Lloyd Thornburg will be bringing his MOD 70 Phaedo 3 to Wicklow following an incredibly successful run of world records and regatta wins. The world-famous superfast multihull, capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots, has already set multiple speed records on the international circuit.
In a major nod towards the prestige of the Volvo Round Ireland, the Sultanate of Oman is sending their flagship trimaran, the magnificent Mod 70 MusandamOman Sail, to compete in this year’s race.
They will be joined by yachts of all sizes including small two-handers with family crews. As the race is all on handicap, the tiny boats have just as much of a chance of winning as the super yachts.
The naval vessel, the LE Aisling will also attend the Volvo Round Ireland Yacht Race.
Minister Simon Harris who had worked to secure the presence of the ship on behalf of the organising committee of the Volvo Round Ireland Yacht Race said: ‘The presence of a naval vessel provides this event in Wicklow’s summer calendar with a new level of prestige. Given the fantastic and heroic humanitarian work which the Irish naval service is carrying out in the Mediterranean, I know that local people and those in attendance at the event will welcome the presence of the LE Aisling in Wicklow town.’
The weekend long Round Ireland Sailfest, organised by The Wicklow Town and District Chamber of Commerce, will kick off at 7.30 p.m. on Friday evening the marquee at Wicklow Sailing Club. There will be traditional Irish music and the well known locally based high profile band ‘Perfect Friction’ to entertain the international sailing crews, visitors and the local community. The evening will conclude with a unique ceremony, the lowering of the national flags of all the yachts taking place in the race, followed by a fantastic fireworks display that will illuminate the skies of Wicklow for all to see.
The following day will see the start of The Round Ireland Yacht Race which will leave Wicklow Harbour at 1 p.m.. With the record entry of boats taking part this year it should be a spectacular sight enjoyed by the thousands who will throng to the many vantage points along the coast.
After the race sets sail there will be a spectacular air display by one of Ireland’s leading stunt pilots.
There’s also plenty of family entertainment taking place at the Black Castle between 12 noon and 5pm. Entertainment will include face painting, children’s games, puppet shows, magicians and a host of other activities with live music to entertain all adult and family members.
On Saturday night, all of the participating restaurants in Wicklow town will have a special Round Ireland Sailfest menu which will bring a real buzz to the town centre. Many of the local pubs will also have a special music programme laid on to entertain the thousands of visitors that this festival attracts to Wicklow Town.
On Sunday the highly anticipated Taste of Wicklow gets under way at the Abbey Grounds.
There is a star studded line up of celebrity chefs including Neven Maguire, Derry Clarke, Paul Kelly, The Druid Chef Rory Morahan and local chefs Paul Smith of The Mystic Celt, Alan Hegarty of The Lighthouse Restaurant, Veronica O’Reilly of Healthy Habits Café and Andy McDaniel of The Bridge Tavern. The festival will also feature chefs from the transition year students of local schools.