THOUSANDS TO DESCEND ON TOWN FOR THE MARITIME FESTIVAL
THE award-winning Irish Maritime festival is back.
Taking place this weekend in Drogheda Port, it’s a super-sized maritime celebration and it suitable for all ages. Hosted by Louth County Council and Drogheda Port Company in conjunction with Virgin Media, the event takes over the town for a wonderful weekend of maritime activities.
Festival Director Colette Moss of Louth County Council remarks, “There’s loads to see and do at the Irish Maritime Festival 2018, especially our fabulous line-ups of ships.
‘It offers fun and activity for all ages. We’ve also got great space and seating for picnics, chilling out and listening the great bands playing. The Irish Maritime Festival is truly is a family friendly event that showcases our all that’s great in this maritime town. We look forward to welcoming visitors from far and wide to visit Drogheda this weekend.”
Parade of Sail: Friday 15th June, 12noon
The whole event kicks off on Friday afternoon as the beautiful ships sailing to Drogheda Port. The ships muster at the mouth of the Boyne at noon and sail n a procession right up to the Town Quays. The best vantage point Is out at the Maiden’s Tower in Mornington where spectators have a birds eye view of all the ships arriving.
Gates open 11am, Saturday
The Irish Maritime festival proper commences at 11 AM on Saturday morning as gates open to the public. On entering the festival you’ll discover the Maritime Learning Zone which includes displays and crews from the RNLI, Inland Waterways Ireland, the Irish Coast Guard and many others. You will see boat displays from Boyne Boats, Power Kites and Sand Yachts. Learn all about our seas and how to protect and preserve them with the crew from Seastainability.
Ships are back
There is a fantastic array of ships to look forward to this year. The tall ship include the Phoenix, The Earl of Pembroke, Johanna Lucrectia, The Keewaydin. Back by very, very popular demand is the Liverpool-based tugboat the Brocklebank and her crew. They were such a hit last year, with queues to visit them both days, that it was just essential to bring them back again this year. The ships will be open from 1230 to 4.30pm, but it’s worth getting there early to ensure you don’t miss out.