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Clipper Yacht Race bids Foyle
farewell
23.07.18
THE River Foyle was a
blaze of colour on Sunday as hundreds lined Derry’s
Quay to bid farewell to the Clipper Race teams as
they slipped lines and set sail for Liverpool for
the final stage of their global adventure.
It was an emotional send off after 10 days of
celebrations as the city played host to the crew of
the 11 visiting yachts during their stopover in the
city. Up to 220,000 people are estimated to have
enjoyed the packed programme of nautical themed
activities during the Foyle Maritime Festival which
took over the city from July 14-22.
The festival finale event on Friday night included a
spectacular Voyages and Parade of Light Showcase, an
atmospheric performance featuring aerial performers,
an illuminated flotilla of boats on the Foyle,
fireworks and animation. |
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Derry bids farewell to the Clipper
Round the World Yacht Race as the teams set sail for
Liverpool for the final stage of their global
adventure. |
On Sunday the city
turned out en-masse to give the fleet a final
send-off after a memorable week for both the crew
and the thousands who shared in the welcome
celebrations, as they took part in a stunning Parade
of Sail before their final departure to Liverpool to
the race finale.
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District
Council, Councillor John Boyle, led the city in
waving off the fleet as it made its way back up the
Foyle to the official race start at Greencastle.
Speaking after the event Mayor Boyle said “It was a
sad moment as we waved farewell to the Clipper Race
fleet today after an eventful week of celebration.
We have welcomed visitors from all over the world
over the past week and it has been fantastic to see
Derry and the wider North West region profiled in
such a positive way on a global platform. Once again
we’ve demonstrated our ability to stage an
international event generating substantial revenue
for the local economy, and enhancing the region’s
profile as an exciting and unique visitor
destination".
This is the fourth time the Clipper Round the World
Yacht Race has included Derry as a stopover city,
and the celebrations around the visit have now
become an established highlight of the city’s events
programme, with plans currently being developed to
host the Foyle Maritime Festival biennially.
Roseann McGlinchey, Donegal native and
HotelPlanner.com crew member said: “The stopover has
been incredible. To sail into my home city and see
my family for the first time in a year is something
I will always remember. We almost felt like
celebrities during our time in Derry, everyone made
us feel so special and welcome. The Walled City
Brewery adopted the HotelPlanner.com team and even
named a cocktail and a beer after me! How incredible
is that. One more race to go and I will be home for
good.” |
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