#tallships – Having recently announced the much anticipated arrival of the Tall Ships to the Drogheda town quays the Drogheda Port Tall Ships Festival in conjunction with the Irish Sea Fleet and Fringe Festival present a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel from Liverpool to Drogheda on the 28th April 2013 or Drogheda to Liverpool on the 6th May 2013 onboard a traditional sailing boat.
Up to six tall ships will visit the Port between the 4th and 6th May 2013 and Sail Training Ireland in collaboration with Merseyside Adventure Sail Training (M.A.S.T.) are organising the unique opportunity to be part of the sail training voyages. The passages range from four to six days.
To mention just two of the vessels the largest is the 'The Pelican of London', measuring 45 meters in length. It has no equivalent among square riggers.
Traditionally rigged with three masts, Pelican's unique Main Mast Barquentine rig and sail plan is derived from the Barbary Coast pirate ships. Her beautiful clipper hull gives her unique performance to windward and a great turn of speed. It operates fulltime as a sail training vessel for young people and has been internationally ranked as a class A tall ship.
The 'Johanna Lucretia' is an oak wooden two masted topsail schooner with a total sail area of 380meters square. Although smaller at 28.65 meters in length she is an impressive vessel and has starred in films such as The Riddle of the Sands and Amazing Grace. She starred in the Irish TV reality show Cabin Fever where she replaced the original Cabin Fever ship after it ran aground off Tory Island. She was also the 2012 Tall Ships races class B overall winner.
Nessa Lally of Drogheda Port Company said "This is a great opportunity for locals to get a taste of Tall Ship Sailing and arrive or depart from Drogheda in the style of a bygone era and to enter the world of the Tall Ships. Drogheda Port has a commercial shipping heritage going back to 1790 and a historical one much further. Such a journey into Drogheda from Liverpool will recreate the voyages of the Tall Ships over the centuries."
Sail training takes place all over the world and in many different types of vessel. It is a growing adventure activity for people of all ages and abilities
If there are any sailing enthusiasts or adventurous souls out there who wish to avail of this fantastic opportunity please come along to the 'Boyne Valley Gathering showcase & Launch taking place on Wednesday 6th March 2013 at the d Hotel, Drogheda between 5–8pm where Sail Training Ireland will be attending.
Alternatively further information can be obtained from Michael Byrne of Sail Training Ireland on 086 0346038, or at their website www.irishsailtraining.com.
