Majestic Tall Ships sail Into Ireland's Party of the Year

Majestic Tall Ships sail Into Ireland's Party of the Year

WATERFORD, Ireland, July 1, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

- 50 Vessels, 12 Countries, 500,000 Festival-goers

The Irish will welcome over 50 majestic Tall Ships from 12 countries,
some 1,400 sail trainees and an anticipated 500,000 maritime, music and
festival fans to the quays of Waterford City this weekend for the biggest
party of 2011.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click

http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/tourismireland/50520/

The Tall Ships Races, which first visited the Viking city in 2005,
return this year from 30 June to 3 July with a world-class festival
programme capturing the very best of Irish and international acts, street
theatre, fireworks, music and food.

This family-friendly festival hosts a huge selection of free events
including tall ship visits, concerts, street entertainment, educational
events, fireworks and a world-class funfair.

Former Roxy Music front man Bryan Ferry (30 June), the Waterboys (1
July) and the Sharon Shannon Show with guests (2 July) will each headline
three free outdoor concerts.

A sumptuous food village will give visitors a real taste of Waterford
and an exciting crafts village will showcase the very best of Irish craft.

The event includes a Crews Parade on the afternoon 1 July that will
feature Tall Ships crew members from all over the world making their way
through the streets in song and dance.

On their departure from Waterford (3 July) the tall ships will provide a
Parade of Sail, one of the most spectacular sights on the world's oceans,
before heading out the mouth of the harbour between Dunmore East and Hook
Head to the west coast of Scotland on the first leg of the Tall Ships Race.

Situated in south-east Ireland 98 miles from Dublin, the Irish capital,
Waterford is the oldest city in Ireland with a maritime tradition dating
back almost 11 centuries to 914AD when a fleet of Viking warships sailed up
the River Suir.

Famous throughout the world for its hand-crafted Waterford Crystal, the
city was founded almost 1,100 years ago.

Further information about The Tall Ships Races 2011 in Waterford is
available at http://www.waterfordtallshipsrace.ie ,
http://www.facebook.com/enjoywaterford and
http://www.discoverirelandmedia.com

Video:
http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/tourismireland/50520/

Source: Tourism Ireland

Justin Ryan, Tourism Ireland, +353-87-6280472; Emma Gorman, Tourism Ireland, +353-1-476-3424

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