Heartbreaking farewell as Tall Ships leave bustling Waterford

Neans McSweeney, South East Correspondent

Romances blossomed, friendships formed and the incredible spirit of camaraderie which epitomised the four-day festival will not be allowed to wane, the organisers vowed.

The bustling city never looked better and the incident-free festival was the perfect showcase for everything fantastic about the sunny south east and the country as a whole.

But the city quays which were a hive of activity since Tuesday began to empty from 7am today.

Events manager, Olivia O'Reilly, said the plan for the next few days was to catch up on some badly needed sleep. "It's been very, very busy but very enjoyable. We have reached our own expectations and have surpassed many of them. The spectacle was great and the number of big, Class A ships was incredible."

The Irish welcome was nothing short of phenomenal, the captain of the Oman ship said.

The people have been fantastic. So welcoming. We are sorry to be leaving," he said.

Things weren't quite ship shape aboard many of the vessels particularly the Indonesian ship. It was sponsored by Waterford City Council and its sailors have been enjoying the hospitality particularly the Guinness.

Its decks were opened to the public for a last time last night and the queues, to get on board, were massive.

The highlight for many was Brendan Boyer's free, open air concert.

The legendary showband frontman didn't fail to impress as he took to the stage in Waterford's Lombard Street. More than 30,000 filled the car park and watched and listened from the surrounding streets as their hero was home for a rare open-air gig.

Today the Tall Ships began to leave the Quays from 7am and assemble in Dunmore East for the parade of sail from 10am. The race to Cherbourg begins from 3pm off Hook Head.