Tall Ships

julie97au

Hi, I went yesterday with my 3 children. The rides range from £2 to £5 - we only had one ride each as it was too expensive. There is a free interactive W5 exhibition which my 3 really enjoyed and crafts etc for the kids. This is in the car park opposite the Odyssey Arena. There is free laser shooting and climbing walls, but the queues were so long we didn't bother with these. I would have liked to have taken the children onto one of the ships, but again the queues were horrendous. The Boucher Road Park and Ride was full, but we got into the one at Ikea and they had loads of spaces. Hope you enjoy it.

Jaime-V

Have a read at this thread on Trip Advisor... http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g186470-i491-k2990044-Tall_ships_festival-Belfast_Northern_Ireland.html

We went last night, stayed at York / Clarendon docks, it was great! really enjoyed it. Bunged but really good atmosphere.

:beer:

purt

I went yesterday and was largely unimpressed. There is no doubting the ships are lovely but why do these events have to be ruined by stupid commercial trappings of funfairs and market stalls?

There are plenty of venues to eat and drink a mere stone's throw away in the Odyssey and Belfast City Centre without littering the adjoining docks with hoards of people hawking bubble making machines and the usual tat. It would be nice to enjoy these beautiful boats without having to fight your way through the smell of chip vans and the likes.

LoopyLinz

Does anyone have any idea what time the ships set sail at on Sunday?

purt

LoopyLinz wrote: »

Does anyone have any idea what time the ships set sail at on Sunday?

Around midday I think

dizzyg_2

The ships prepare to leave at midday and should be sailing off by 2pm.

montyrebel

best time i have ever had in belfast, and was just the same 18 years ago when i was there as well and tried to push ny brother into the lagan, good times lol

BigAl94

There are far fewer ships than 18 years ago, and not so many big ones. Waterford 4 years ago was far more impressive and didnt need all the tacky stalls to turn it into an event. Probably part of what made it so impressive was that the ships (substantially more of them) were right in the city centre so all the cafes, hotels and pubs were lively and full. Im going back there in 2011.

OnceUponADream

LoopyLinz wrote: »

Does anyone have any idea what time the ships set sail at on Sunday?

Apparently they should pass by Bangor around lunchtime (1pm/2pm) - not sure of exact times though.

dmxdave

From Belfast Harbour

BHC Notice to Mariners No 9 of 2009 issued on 5 August advises:
From 12.30 to 15.00 the Parade of Sail will take place commencing at beacon no 21 and proceeding along the Victoria Channel to the Fairway Buoy.