All hands on deck for tall ships race

Festival puts wind in Waterford’s sails, writes South-East Correspondent Neans McSweeney.

WITH just over four weeks to go before Waterford becomes the first Irish city to host the start of the Tall Ships' Races, final preparations are continuing to ensure everything runs smoothly for the four-day event.

Ninety-one tall ships crewed by more than 3,000 sailors and trainees arrive in the 48 hours up to midday on July 6. Hailing from 21 countries, the ships are expected to bring upwards of 250,000 visitors to Waterford's historic quays in the four days to July 9, when the annual race series will begin with the ships sailing for northern France.