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Surprise Irish blessing for 1,000 German tourists 11.08.12

A GROUP of almost 1,000 German tourists got a surprise Irish blessing in a Co Donegal fishing village yesterday when their cruise ship dropped anchor as the annual blessing of the fleet ceremony got underway.
The 950 passengers and crew of the MS Astor arrived in Greencastle port on the opening day of its annual regatta and traditional blessing of the local fishing fleet.
The tourists are enjoying a 14-night 'Lands of Myths and Legends' cruise that departed from Bremerhaven in Germany and includes stop-overs in Belfast, Cobh, Dublin and Liverpool.
Greencastle Regatta committee chairperson, Gemma Havlin, said the luxury ship got the maritime festival off to a stylish start.
"Little did these visitors know they would be getting a lovely, traditional Irish blessing to wish them luck and safe passage as they continue their journey on the high seas," said Ms Havlin.
"They might have expected it had they stopped off the coast of Rome or somewhere like that but maybe not here," she quipped.
The 950 passengers and crew of the MS Astor arrive in Greencastle port.
The annual inter-denominational blessing of the fleet is an age-old tradition in Greencastle. The blessing and prayers are said to keep local fishermen safe at sea in the year ahead. All seafarers using the harbour including yachtsmen and women and the local car ferry are also included.
The MS Astor was attracted to the region yesterday under the Cruise North West initiative run by Derry City Council, Foyle Port, the Loughs Agency and Derry Visitor & Convention Bureau.
Spokesperson, Aoife Thomas, said Germany had been identified as growth market and the North West would be further promoted among cruise operators there this year.
The northern European tourists enjoyed tours all over the sunny North West yesterday including Derry's Walled City and Glenveagh National Park. For Greencastle Regatta programme, click here For more cruise ship photos, click here .
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