THOUSANDS of visitors
made their way to Queen’s Quay at the weekend to
enjoy a "very successful" Foyle Days Festival, say
the organisers. The festival featured a wealth of
maritime activity, exhibitions and displays as well
as boat visits and the city’s Clipper yacht and
crew. Mayor Councillor Colum Eastwood said the event
"successfully showcased the maritime resource of the
River Foyle".
“Almost 5,000 people availed of the boat tours and
event attendance was particularly positive. I would
like to take this opportunity to thank everyone
involved in making this year’s event another
outstanding success," said Cllr Eastwood.
The festival also welcomed the city's Clipper yacht
and crew along with a special attendance by Olympic
gold medalist, Sir Steve Redgrave.
Sir Steve Redgrave with members of
the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission.
Included, from left, are harbour master Bill McCann,
from Shroove, port engineer, George Cuthbert and
chief executive, Brian McGrath. (Photo: Lorcan
Doherty)
The Mayor added: “The
city’s partnership with Clipper and their
participation in the Festival is an important
milestone in the city’s journey towards reaching a
global audience through the Clipper 11-12 race”.
The city’s Clipper yacht left on Sunday as part of
the Londonderry Port and Harbour yacht race and will
return in July 2012 with the entire Clipper fleet as
part of the city’s Homecoming Maritime Festival.
