The mist rising from the river Suir on Sunday morning is beautiful and eerie and a somewhat sombre crowd gather on the quay to wave off the tall ships and their crews. For an hour or so the boats glide out to cheering and waving. The crews of the Lord Nelson are in the rigging with the jaunty Bare Necessities blasting from the pa system. Some of the youth sail training vessels manage a few uggie uggie uggies and a couple of cheers but the cast of the Columbian vessel, The Gloria show everyone how these things should be done . The crew are perched on the rigging and across the deck in their national colours singing an anthem. It is the most breathtaking and cheerful sight .
Top Ten Moments at Waterford Tall Ships
Best Moment
The massed choirs and orchestra deliver a moving and rousing premiere of 'Come the Sails' The stunning combination of music and lyrics with a 250 strong choir and orchestra was premiered on the historic quays in the beautiful Wallace Plaza ;
Massed choirs and orchestra with conductor Niall Crowley open the festival |
Best Sight Crew of Columbian vessel The Gloria singing from the rigging as their ship glided out of Waterford Harbour. Heart Stopping.
The Hucklebuck Shoes |
Best Fun Event: Pirates Parade . Everyone knows children love dressing up but organisers were surprised when so many parents turned up suitably attired. Talking of dressing up we also liked the cool shirts worn by Steve Wickham and Mike Scott of the Waterboys Psychadelic deck chair stripes and purple paisley and marks go also to Rowan Sherlock, fiddling Jazz Dude of the Waterford Gypsy Jazz Ensemble for his Ukelele Tie
Best Lyrics Poems by Five Poets set in Come the Sails opening cantata Mark Roper, Peter Sirr, Michael Coady, Megan Nolan and John Ennis
Best Foodie Experience The vast range of food options all along the quay with massed al fresco dining. We enjoyed the chorizo and bean stew from Mediteranean Kitchen and the best aroma came from Green Saffron
Al fresco on the Quay for 3 days |
Best Accoustic Act Local sea shanty specialists Hooks and Crookes Sea Shanty Group was the hardest working group of the weekend. These gentlemen were on the go from lunchtime on Wednesday and were ubiquitous for the duration of the weekend. Bravo!
Best Twitter Updates @WaterfordTweet and @HooksandCrookes delivered useful up to the minute updates on events and information relating to the Festival. There was a terrific on going dialogue from the Waterford Twitter community with great tips on queing times and best entertainment around town.
Best Stall Ardkeen Quality Food Store for the sheer size and range of their temporary tented emporium .
Best Innovation The decision to make the city traffic free. The massed crowds comfortably wandered the streets on foot or bicycles in safety as the park n ride system worked brilliantly. Could we look to do this again on say the first weekend of the month? The Quay is a perfect amenity for a coninental style passeggiata.
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