Tall Ships in Belfast

We pottered down to the Odyssey this morning to see what the Belfast Maritime Festival had to offer.

We ventured on board the Zebu – a Swedish Ship that was once the adventure flagship of Operation Raleigh, and now sales out of Liverpool.

Turns out that the Zebu has its own private supply of ale and bitter.

Scattered across Clarendon Dock, Donegall Quay and Queens Quay are a total of eight magnificent tall ships – mostly open to the public to go aboard and explore (for a small donation).


In and around the Odyssey there are lots of sea-faring exhibits and stalls, including an RNLI display and the mandatory unicycle clown.

Sometime after 10.30pm on Saturday night, a hot air balloon display is planned – lighting up the summer night sky with flame and colour, before a firework display finishes off the evening’s entertainment.

The tall ships are open again on Sunday before they sail off to their next port.

Good to see the continuing regeneration of the docks area.



And all happening just across from the impressive Samson and Goliath cranes.

Update: further maritime pictures added along with fireworks.