Festival launch is all smooth sailing

AS FESTIVAL starts go, it doesn’t get much better, louder or more spectacular. Fog horns sounded, captain’s bells rang aloud and thousands of confetti-like blue and white shards of light plastic were catapulted into the air as Waterford marked a six-year wait for the official launch of the Tall Ships Race 2005.

The tens of thousands who gathered on either side of the quays watched in delight as four high-speed Air Corps Pilatus PC-9’s zoomed through the sky in formation. The dramatic fly-over was also watched by the city’s first citizens and ambassadors as they gathered in the revamped William Vincent Wallace Plaza.

It was timely and fitting that the Class A Indonesian Dewaruci sailed up the Suir just moments ahead of the launch. The three masted barquentine, which is staffed by the Indonesian Navy, was sponsored by Waterford City Council.

Its enthusiastic crew manned the sails and waved to the crowds which gathered either side of the quay. A brass band played and all on board danced, adding to the festive buzz.

Mayor Hilary Quinlan was almost speechless. He and others on the city council had worked tirelessly to bring the event to fruition, along with an enthusiastic group of volunteers.

“While each and every one of these Tall Ships will bring its own colour and party, it is great to have the three Irish Tall Ships lead out the parade of sail on Saturday.

“The Tall Ships Race comes to Waterford at a very exciting time. It brings intense focus onto our city, on county Waterford and the River Suir. It also shows us how the city can turn towards the river and make more use of it as an asset.”

Visitors from all over the world have flocked to Waterford for the four-day, free and family-centred event. Among those who made the journey was French mayor and Paris-based senator, Michel Becot. “Our town is twinned with New Ross, the home of the Dunbrody Famine Ship.

"It is great to be here. We have been down along the Quay and have seen the Dunbrody here. It’s great. The trip to Waterford was her first under her own engine.”

Locally, another family was taking a bit more of a back seat than usual.

Seamus Ryan was Mayor of Waterford up until last week. Yesterday, his wife Deirdre and their three children, Colm, 7, Aibhilin, 11, and Cliodhna, 13, were out of the spotlight. And they seemed to be enjoying it after a hectic year.

“We were also down here on the Quays last night. All we need now is the weather. We hope to go aboard some of the ships later on,” Deirdre Ryan said.

The forecast for today looks broken, with some showers forecast. Today’s highlights include the colourful parade of crews from Ballybricken to the People’s Park, live music in the city centre from 5pm and a host of functions aboard the ships tomorrow night.