Waterford bids a final farewell to the Tall Ships

IT was as if the elements were conspiring, wishing that the Tall Ships would never leave Waterford.

The official start off Hook Head had to be abandoned as winds failed. And it wasn't until yesterday afternoon that the race officially began, 66 miles of the south-east coast of Waterford.

The parade of sail was spectacular, as the vessels, which left Waterford's quays from 7am on Saturday, filed in perfect formation down from the city, via Dunmore and out to Hook Head where they were later forced to drop anchor and stay the night.

It was particularly moving to see the three Irish sail-training vessels lead the parade. The Asgard led, followed by the Dunbrody and the Jeanie Johnston. All three had their sails up, as had many others among the 70-plus fleet.

Tens of thousands watched from the Dunmore East coastline and a mile-long queue of cars could be seen on the Hook side.

There was major gridlock and local bus services into Dunmore were cancelled for a time in the hope the congestion would end.

On the sea, it was a particularly moving start to the three-day journey to Cherbourg for one local young man. Patrick Bance passed his parent's home at Woodstown as they headed out to sea. It was closely followed by the Dewaruci, the Indonesian ship which was adopted by the people of Waterford.

Even though there was little wind, it was not surprising that she didn't have her sails up. Her 200-plus crew had spent so much time partying since they arrived in Waterford, it was hard to imagine how anyone could have had the strength to hoist them up.

Following close behind was another ship with a very important and incredibly proud Waterford man on board. Captain Liam Keating was at the wheel as he brought the Prince William out to sea.

There had been tears and heart-breaking goodbyes on Waterford's quays from day-break on Saturday as the 3,088 Tall Ships crew members walked across the gangways for the final time.

There had been plenty of romances and many more great friendships formed over the four-day festival which gardaí say drew in 480,000 people. The ship's fog horns sounded and the crews waved goodbye a fitting farewell to those who had worked tirelessly for six years to bring the event to Waterford.