Waterford gets ready for summer Tall Ships extravaganza

WATERFORD City Council has announced it will be investing €1.9 million in the hosting of this year’s Tall Ships Race.

The major international event comes to Waterford on July 6 with 80 Tall Ships crewed by as many as 3,000 sailors leaving the region for France three days later.

A major programme of events is being organised for the event and many of these are free.

Events manager, Olivia O’Reilly, said support for the event locally has been nothing short of phenomenal with community groups, statutory organisations and businesses across the region rowing in with support for the much awaited event.

“We estimate that the benefit to the city will be tenfold. The whole event is being funded by the city council, the Port of Waterford, Fáilte Ireland and locally through our patrons’ programme.

“We are still fund-raising but we are just about there,” she added.

The Association of Irish Festivals and Events described the event as one of the major festival attractions in the Irish calendar of events this year.

Director Colm Croffy said it was among the top five showcase events in the country this Summer.

“Everyone is looking forward to seeing Waterford and its port.

“Waterford has always had a great reputation for hosting prestigious events. All the people from Spraoi are involved and it will be great for Waterford and for the entire south east,” he added.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen said the Tall Ships Race provides Waterford with a unique opportunity to showcase itself to the entire world.

“We will have an opportunity to showcase our city to hundreds of thousands of visitors over the days that these graceful vessels spend on our quays.

“In addition, there is likely to be significant media exposure within Ireland and overseas that will serve to raise awareness of all that our city and the surrounding area can offer visitors,” said Mr Cullen.

Tall Ships facts:

They will be in Waterford from July 6 to 9. They leave Waterford the south-east port on July 9 for Cherbourg-Octeville in France.

Up to 80 vessels will take part and 3,000 crew will be involved.

The event previously visited Cork in 1991 and Dublin in 1998.

The event will attract an estimated 250,000 people to Waterford and be worth up to €20 million to the region.