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Displaying items by tag: Riverfest Parade of Sail

#DublinPardeofSail – The Parade of Sail on the Bank Holiday Monday, marked the end of another Dublin Port Riverfest, as the varied fleet in terms of type and age transited the East Link bridge bound for Dublin Bay, writes Jehan Ashmore.

One of the smaller tallships, the Welsh Vilma headed the Parade of Sail, following a 'Battle of the Pirate Ships' complete with 'cannon' fire which was held within the Liffey's central city quays to the delight of onlookers.

The Beaumaris registered vessel had on another occasion called to Dublin  Bay to anchor in Scotsmens Bay during the MOD70 races in 2012.

Also participating in the capital, was the smartly kept ketch of the Irish Naval Service, the sail training vessel STV Creidne, the distinctive black and white strip hull of the Pelican of London and the largest visitor, Gulden Leeuw which represented the final departure.

Some of the tallships as soon as they passed through the almost thirty year-old bridge, berthed at the Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club.

The river berths of the marina soon saw a quartet of vessels berth in quick succession, one been the century-old Cornish based Ruth.

Should you have not seen the tallships gracing the capital quays, there's another opportunity to see the forest of masts as they call to the Irish Maritime Festival (14-15 June) along the quays of Drogheda Port.

Soteria and Beumaris

Soteria and Vilma

Pirate ships in battle -Vilma and Soteria

'Pirate ships' in battle -Vilma and Soteria

Gulden Leeuw largest tallship

Gulden Leeuw, the largest tall ship on the Liffey

The event likewise of the Riverfest is organised by a port authority in association with others, in this case the Drogheda Port Company. The Louth port will also welcome a non-Dublin caller, as previously reported the 110 year-old classic West Country trading ketch, Bessie Ellen to the Boyne. 

Making a debut to the second year of the festival is another classic vessel, in the form of the working hopper dredger, Hebble Sand, albeit more than half a century old herself.

Pelican of London departs Pelican of London departs Dublin Port

Published in Tall Ships

Marine Wildlife Around Ireland One of the greatest memories of any day spent boating around the Irish coast is an encounter with marine wildlife.  It's a thrill for young and old to witness seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales right there in their own habitat. As boaters fortunate enough to have experienced it will testify even spotting a distant dorsal fin can be the highlight of any day afloat.  Was that a porpoise? Was it a whale? No matter how brief the glimpse it's a privilege to share the seas with Irish marine wildlife.

Thanks to the location of our beautiful little island, perched in the North Atlantic Ocean there appears to be no shortage of marine life to observe.

From whales to dolphins, seals, sharks and other ocean animals this page documents the most interesting accounts of marine wildlife around our shores. We're keen to receive your observations, your photos, links and youtube clips.

Boaters have a unique perspective and all those who go afloat, from inshore kayaking to offshore yacht racing that what they encounter can be of real value to specialist organisations such as the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) who compile a list of sightings and strandings. The IWDG knowledge base has increased over the past 21 years thanks in part at least to the observations of sailors, anglers, kayakers and boaters.

Thanks to the IWDG work we now know we share the seas with dozens of species who also call Ireland home. Here's the current list: Atlantic white-sided dolphin, beluga whale, blue whale, bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin, Cuvier's beaked whale, false killer whale, fin whale, Gervais' beaked whale, harbour porpoise, humpback whale, killer whale, minke whale, northern bottlenose whale, northern right whale, pilot whale, pygmy sperm whale, Risso's dolphin, sei whale, Sowerby's beaked whale, sperm whale, striped dolphin, True's beaked whale and white-beaked dolphin.

But as impressive as the species list is the IWDG believe there are still gaps in our knowledge. Next time you are out on the ocean waves keep a sharp look out!