Tall ships from across the world will unfurl their sails and set course for Belfast today as the historic fleet ends its transatlantic race in Northern Ireland.
Almost a century since the Titanicrolled down the slipway and sailed out of the city's docks, Belfast will host another spectacular maritime event when the fleet of 40 vessels arrives on the quayside.
Nearly half a million people are expected to descend on the city for a glimpse of the huge wooden boats during the four-day Tall Ships festival.
Belfast is the last port of call on the vessels’ epic voyage across the Atlantic and back, which is staged every eight to 10 years.
They left Halifax, Nova Scotia, last month as part of a loop which began in Vigo in Spain and took in Tenerife, Bermuda, Charleston and Boston in the United States.
Belfast saw off competition from a number of other European cities to win the right to welcome the fleet after its final leg.
Chairman of Belfast’s Tall Ships board Dr Gerard O’Hare said the city was in for a real treat. “What people can look forward to is the biggest show in the country, the biggest event ever to be held in Ireland in maritime terms,” he said.
The last Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge race was nine years ago and the only other occasion the ships visited Belfast was in 1991.
Around a dozen of the ships completed the race across the Atlantic with the rest joining up with the fleet for the final port of call.
They will be open to the public to visit today and over the weekend before sailing out of the docks in a convoy parade on Sunday.
The festival, which the city council estimates will generate £10 million for the local economy, also consists of a range of free activities and entertainment, including fireworks, continental markets, funfairs and concerts, all based around the docks area.
PA