LegenDerry Maritime Festival programme unveiled

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Derry City Council has today announced the full programme for the LegenDerry Maritime Festival, just one day ahead of Race 14 start; the 2,850 mile Atlantic crossing to Derry-Londonderry from New York.

The arrival of the 12-strong Clipper Race fleet and spectacular performances by The Beach Boys and the RAF Red Arrows: just three of the world-class ingredients which are to be served up at the LegenDerry Maritime Festival later this month.

The festival, which will take place across Derry~Londonderry from Saturday 21st to Sunday 29th June, will be the biggest sailing event in Ireland this year and looks set to be the North West’s greatest party of 2014. With the Clipper Race fleet preparing for Race 14 tomorrow, skipper of Derry~Londonderry~Doire, Sean McCarter knows all too well that  this is the race everyone will be hoping he’ll win.

“We all know about the infamous homeport curse that no boat has ever managed to win their homecoming race. However, I’m confident that the team are really geared up for this and I confident we will do well,” he said.

“There are still a lot of points on the board and we have seen how Henri Lloyd came in on this one winning the extra points. If you can manage that on the next race then you can expect to jump a position or two on the leaderboard, so I can imagine there will be a lot of teams looking to do that.”

The LegenDerry Maritime Festival will see the whole Foyle quayside transformed into a colourful continental marketplace and festival village by the marina, where the stunning 70 foot Clipper Race yachts will be moored alongside tall ships, naval vessels and visiting boats.

Musically, there’s nothing better to mark the start of summer than the sound of the legendary Beach Boys, who will take to the stage at Ebrington Square for their first ever visit to Derry on Thursday 26th.Music is a big focus of the LegenDerry Maritime Festival which kicks off with Music City Day on Saturday 21st (Summer Solstice). The city will come alive with music literally from dawn to dusk, from a dawn chorus at the Grianan of Aileach, to the Roaring Meg busking competition, to Derry’s biggest ever acoustic jam in the Guildhall Square and music all along the quayside.

Sunday 22nd will see the Ubuntu Festival of World Traditions.  The quayside will become a global carnival with performers from South Africa to Asia and South America, with something very special planned by the Jamaica Get All Right Clipper Race Yacht crew.

Dance music fans can look forward to the Celtronic festival in venues across the City from 25-29th, featuring some of Europe’s leading DJs and being likened to Ireland’s answer to Sonar. Food and drink will be aplenty throughout the festival with Derry’s biggest ever market, combining all the best-loved stalls of the Continental Market with the local favourites of the Walled City Market, as well as smaller local producers, chefs and foodie demonstrations. 

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will arrive in Derry after a two and a half week journey across the Atlantic from New York and a nine month adventure at sea.  The city awaits the homecoming of its ownDerry~Londonderry~Doire yacht, after a journey of almost 40,000 miles: expect emotional scenes and big reunion celebrations. 

For those who are inspired to try their hand on the water, there are taster dinghy sailing opportunities, canoeing, paddling and even a Moonlit Paddle along the banks of the Foyle.  Saturday 28th will see a family Fire & Water show, featuring a dramatic fiery pirateship battle on the Foyle and fireworks finale.

The Clipper Race fleet will receive a spectacular send-off on Sunday 29 June when the RAF Red Arrows perform a stunning flypast across the coastline from the race start at Greencastle in Donegal and Magilligan/Binevenagh in Co. Londonderry.

For the full schedule of events please visit www.legenderrymaritimefestival.com

To keep up-to-date with the fleet’s positions click here