Londonderry: All you need to know for the Foyle Maritime Festival

The Foyle Maritime Festival is set to begin in Londonderry on Thursday, with tens of thousands expected along the River Foyle waterfront. The biennial four-day event celebrates how the river shaped the region’s people, history and maritime heritage, and organizers forecast more than 100,000 visitors for a theme called “Forged by the Foyle.” Mayor Grace Uí Niallais said the festival honors the city’s maritime legacy in a way that is both educational and entertaining for all ages. The program includes visiting ships, among them the Galeón Andalucía, a replica used by the Spanish Crown in the 17th and 18th centuries, tall ship The Phoenix, the 90-year-old Danish fishing vessel The Klevia, and the French WWII spy boat Le Dundee Mutin. At night, the ships will be illuminated in Sails of Solace, created by Visual Spectrum. The quay will host a food village, markets, and a vintage funfair with the Earhart Eye, plus living history characters, watersport taster events, a DNA tent previewing a new museum opening in 2027, and performances including Sollus Highland Dancers and Carnival of Colours artists.