THE ARRIVAL of one of Europe's oldest tall ships, The Belem, heralded the beginning of Dublin's first French Week which coincides with Bastille Day today.
The week is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Alliance Française in Dublin, the centre that promotes French culture and enrols more than 5,000 students each year for language classes.
The Belemset sail from Roscoff on Friday. It was launched on June 10th, 1896, and named after the Brazilian port where the ship owners founded a trading post.
Among the fleet of boats that escorted the ship into the Liffey was Marguerite which was built in Malahide in the same year as The Belemwas built in Nantes.
The Belemwill remain at Spencer Dock until Saturday and is open to visits.
The celebrations also include the festival market, organised by Le Marche de France, offering traditional French fare, while there will also be children’s entertainment provided including a trampoline bungee.
