FLYING THE flag for Ireland – that was the task set for Waterford by Taoiseach Enda Kenny when he officially opened the Tall Ships 2011 and yesterday the city lived up to the challenge as it hung out its brightest colours for the throngs of visitors.
Gardaí last night estimated that more than 130,000 had visited throughout the day. First very big crowds surged into the city centre for yesterday afternoon’s crews parade while another wave of people swept into town last night to catch the Waterboys in concert.
The parade proved a huge hit with visitors of all ages straining on both sides of the south quays to catch a glimpse of the 1,500 or so participants who each marched behind a placard identifying to which ship they belonged.
The fresh-faced recruits of the Russia training ship Mirwere easily identifiable by their huge saucer like hats as they marched proudly behind their flag near the front of the parade.
Also catching the eye were the naval recruits of the Colombian training ship Gloria who were led by a group in full uniform, followed by others in white trousers and vivid red, blue and yellow tops – the colours of the Colombia flag.
Interspersed between the visitors were fantastic street theatre characters organised by Spraoi while Waterford Youth Arts got a great response for their Pirates of Rubbish boat made from empty beer cans.
Among the other attractions yesterday was a replica Viking longboat commissioned by Waterford Museum of Treasures which is being built by 18 unemployed people under a local training initiative.
The project, which is supported by Waterford City Council, Waterford Chamber of Commerce and Fás, began last October when the keel was laid and good progress has been made since then with the boat due to be put in the water in September.
Fás co-ordinator Michael Power explained that some of the oak for the planking of the boat came from Co Carlow while the family of the late Tony Ryan donated oaks from his estate near Nenagh for the crossbeams.
Carpenter Declan Barry revealed that those working on the boat had used only traditional Viking tools such as rather fearsome-looking side axes and adzes to sculpt out the crossbeams.
Meanwhile on display in Greyfriars Church are the wheel, compass and bell from the training ship Asgardwhich were recovered by Dungarvan diver Eoin McGarry and five colleagues from the Bay of Biscay where the ship sank in 2008.
Yesterday also saw Waterford bid to break the world record of 6,166 for the greatest number of pirates in one place and while they may not have made the numbers, they more than made up in quality with some serious Capt Jack Sparrow contenders.
Today will see a multi-denominational service and song and spoken word with a maritime theme when Christ Church Cathedral Choir led by Eric Sweeney will be joined by local singers Hooks and Crooks to sing a variety of seafaring hymns.
The Bishop of Lismore and Waterford Dr William Lee paid tribute to all those involved in organising the four-day event.
“This is wonderful because the weather is holding up and everyone is in good humour – there’s been a huge amount of preparation put into it and I think because of that, it will be an outstanding success just as it was back in 2005.”