Clipper festival smashed visitor expectations

The 10 racing clippers did a farewell lap of the Lough to the applause of thousands of well-wishers, the roar of a ceremonial canon and the 1812 Overture before heading out to Greencastle.

Among them were the crew of the home yacht, Derry-Londonderry, who received a hero’s homecoming on returning to the city after braving high seas, freezing winds and debilitating seasickness in the run from New York via Nova Scotia. The next lap of the Round the World Clipper Race takes the international crews to Den Helder in the Netherlands, before the final run back to Southampton, one year and 40,000 miles after the world’s toughest ocean races began.

Cheering them on was Sharon O’Connor, Chief Executive of Derry City Council, who said the city had been totally transformed by the festival, with the target of 100,000 visitors being “far surpassed”.

“The place has been totally jam-packed,” she said. “It will be a while before we can confirm a final figure, but we are talking hundreds of thousands. Clipper has been of real benefit to the city itself, while the shops, restaurants, hotels and other businesses have been doing a great trade.

“The festival has brought people here who would never have been here in other circumstances and the crews have been saying this is the best place they have been. I believe that sentiment is genuine. What we wanted to do, and what we have been hugely successful in achieving, is to bring our story to the international stage.”

Before setting sail, the international crews were invited to sign a mural depicting their boats then each was given an official farewell in front of VIPs and well-wishers, and presented with a bespoke cake, designed by a local bakery.

Susie McCullough, Director of marketing and events at Northern Ireland Tourist Board, confirmed that visitor figures had far exceeded the targets set, with more than 25,000 people alone attending last night’s Clipper Connections Concert at Ebrington, starring the Saw Doctors and Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

“It has been a fabulous, spectacular event that has showcased Derry-Londonderry to the world,” she said. “The atmosphere has been overwhelming with so many different accents and so many happy, smiling faces – everyone has had a ball.

“It’s a massive stepping stone for City of Culture and has really shown that the city can deliver an international event. Next year is going to be so exciting – it’s time to show the world what we can do.”

Before departure, Peiyi Ke, a crew member on Singapore, said: “Derry is lovely and we have had the best time here – the people are very friendly and I feel very much at home. I came over here last year, after meeting some of the Derry crew during training. I loved it then and I still do.

“It’s not the sort of place we know a lot about in Singapore, but I would definitely advise my friends and family to visit here. I’ve been Facebooking all my photos and everyone is asking me ‘where is that beautiful place?’ I will definitely be back.”

Lloyd Cosby of Ottawa, Canada, felt the lure of going to sea again after a career in the navy. “The history of this place is amazing,” he said. “It’s both heart-warming and inspirational to see what has been happening here, after so many years of problems, and we have had a very warm welcome.”

Joining him as skipper of the crew of New York was Gareth Glover, an Englishman “from all over” He said: “We’ve had a great time in Derry. I had never been to Northern Ireland before, but it has been a lovely experience and the hospitality has been fantastic.”

Kyle Gardner, a crewman on Welcome to Yorkshire, said he had had an “absolutely amazing” time. “The atmosphere, the people, the events … it’s been fantastic. We’ve been go-karting, touring, going to bars. A big thank you goes to the Strand Bar, which adopted our crew, for their hospitality. Thanks for the champagne and rum.”

Nick Rudd, who was aboard Edinburgh, said: “It’s all been excellent – the people, the city, the welcome. I’m from Portsmouth, but it is my first time sailing and it was so relaxing to get to Derry and unwind. We ate well, drank well and had a great time. I would definitely come back.

“Some ports have been really great to stop at and some have been quite quiet. I have to say, though, that everyone feels that the welcome and the hospitality here have been very heartfelt and very genuine. Most of the crew are saying this was the best.”

Sailing on the Dutch boat, De Lage Landen, was Guillaume Vermeersch from Belgium. “I am very impressed! I have never been to Northern Ireland before and am surprised it is so much like my home country – rainier, but greener. I have really enjoyed the history and culture of the city and would come back, now I know what’s here.”

Bridget Hedderman, who was on board Australian boat Geraldton, originally hales from Kinsale but now lives in Singapore. She spent 30 years travelling the world before discovering Northern Ireland.

“We just never came North, you didn’t in those days,” she said, adding: “Then I went working, travelling and living around the world and it has taken all this time for me to discover what I was missing on my own doorstep. I think the most impressive thing about Derry is the culture and the history. We had a fantastic guide who took us around and told us all about it in a very factual, matter-of-fact way. It was a great way to get to know the city. Everyone says this has been the best port of call.”