Skip Navigation

Tall Ships Return to celebrate Belfasts...

02 July 2015, Odyssey area, Belfast

Runs to 05 July 2015

The biggest ever event to be staged in Belfast takes place this summer, when the magnificent Tall Ships Race sails back into the city.

The city will act as the home port before the start of the 2015 Race, with dozens of the world’s finest sailing vessels berthed in Belfast over the weekend of July 2 – 5. More than 500,000 people are expected to attend the event, bringing with them an economic windfall of at least £10 million for the city.

This is the third time that Belfast has welcomed the Tall Ships Race, having previously staged the event in 1991 and 2009. However, with the city acting as the staging post for the first leg of the race, even more ships will be taking part this year, with more than 50 vessels – including 17 massive Class A ships – making the port their home for four days before setting off on their annual challenge.

Launching this year’s event, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Arder Carson, commented:

“In terms of events, they don’t really come much bigger than the Tall Ships Races.

“While, over the past number of years, we in Belfast have established an internationally-renowned reputation for staging high quality, high profile events, from the MTV EMAs through to last year’s World Police and Fire Games, the figures for the Tall Ships speak for themselves. More than 50 of the world’s finest sailing ships, and their crews, from Europe, North and South America and further afield, will be berthed in Belfast for four days, and we are predicting that more than half a million people will visit them while they are here!

“Add to that, the hugely positive national and international media coverage will bring for the city, coupled with the massive economic benefit – estimated to be in the region of £10 million or more – and you can understand why we are so delighted to have the Tall Ships Race return to Belfast so quickly after its last visit just six years ago.”

While Belfast City Council is the principle funder and lead partner on the project, a wide range of other statutory agencies and commercial companies are also involved including the Ulster Scots Agency.

The Agency will be providing musical entertainment on the main stage throughout the festival and are hosting the Scottish Maritime Museum who will be bringing their wooden boat building demonstration for the public to take part in during the weekend.  The Agency will also have a range of entertainment, exhibitions and talks taking place at the Discover Ulster Scots Centre at 1-9 Victoria Street, Belfast, BT1 3GA.

The Tall Ships Race will be docked in Belfast from Thursday July 2 – Sunday July 5. Access to the event is free.

 

 

Comments

Please complete the following form to leave a comment about this article.

* Mandatory field - please complete