Foyle Maritime Festival 2024 Programme

Here comes the Summer... 

and we’re kicking the season off in style with our new look Foyle Maritime 

Festival! This bi-annual maritime festival returns to the River Foyle from 

Thursday 27th until Sunday 30th June with a packed programme of events, 

ships, on-water activities, feasting, music and animation for the whole 

family to enjoy. 

The theme for this year’s Foyle Maritime Festival is ‘Beyond Blue’, in 

acknowledgement of the power and the poetry of our rivers, seas and 

oceans and the poignant relationship we have with them ~ one that 

reaches beyond the physical. It’s also a call for people to look beyond 

the horizon, see things from a different perspective and find new ways 

to meet the needs of society without causing further harm to these 

incredible natural assets. 

A range of animation, installations, workshops and performances, 

influenced by this theme, will take place over the four days of the festival, 

with its ultimate embodiment unfolding in a spectacular showcase event, 

‘Beyond Blue’, from 8pm until midnight on Saturday 29th June. 

2 Foyle Maritime Festival 2024

The Waterfront 

A place where everything seems a little larger than life, the Waterfront 

is a must-see for boat enthusiasts of all ages. Sitting elegantly and 

commanding a dramatic presence, the two largest Tall Ships at this 

year’s event will be berthed here. 

The Phoenix 

A movie star in the Tall 

Ship world, The Phoenix 

is a firm festival favourite 

and the cover star of this 

year’s programme. 

Irene 

Making its debut at the 

festival, we are thrilled 

to welcome Tall Ship 

Irene. Built on 1907, 

Irene has seen many 

dramatic adventures 

sailing the Atlantic 

Ocean transporting olive 

oil, coffee and cocoa as 

part of the ‘New Dawn 

Traders’ to working as 

a charter vessel in the 

Caribbean. 

Brocklebank 

The Brocklebank 

Tugboat, built in 1965, 

will also welcome guests 

aboard to hear about 

the mechanics and 

fascinating history of 

this hardworking vessel. 

The vessel’s guardians 

are a bunch of charming 

sailors - now retired - 

who are an event in their 

own right! Dave and 

his team are bringing 

a Morse Code machine 

with workshops for any 

interested code breakers 

out there! 

In addition to the ships above we also plan to feature several navy boats at the jetty. All of the 

above vessels will provide daily tours from 12noon until 8pm latest. Times will be staggered 

to accommodate breaks and ensure several boats can be visited at any one time. No booking 

necessary - come and queue on arrival. 


Derry’s favourite Circus and Street Arts festival, produced by local legends 

‘In Your Space Circus’ is BACK and this year they’re dropping anchor at Foyle 

Maritime Festival 2024! 

In Your Space Circus (IYSC) has gathered up a boatload of circus chaos and will 

be taking over the Quay with some INCREDIBLE circus treats! Expect astounding 

acrobatics, shoreside silliness and the biggest beach-ball you’ve ever laid your 

eyes on! And as an extra special treat, IYSC have teamed up 

with Foyle Maritime Festival to bring the inimitable No Fit 

State to our shores with the Irish Premiere of their new 

show ~ Bamboo. Expect a spectacular high-skill circus 

production using only bamboo and human bodies! 

And make sure to stop by the ‘Baby Top Boardwalk’ 

to try your hand at circus skills, get your face 

painted (mine’s a mermaid please) or join the 

‘Jellyfish Jam’ disco! You lucky rubber duckys… 

For the full programme check out In 

Your Space Circus and Carnival of 

Colours online. 


Maritime Market 

Savour the tastes and talent of our 

local bakers and crafters at our 

bespoke Maritime Market with award 

winning locally sourced produce and 

stunning hand-crafted goods. It’s 

the perfect opportunity to find that 

special something whether it’s a gift 

or you’re treating yourself, all while 

enjoying the best of our region’s 

natural and creative bounty. 

Open daily from 12noon until closing. 

Play Me Piano Stage 

Calling all budding concerto pianists 

to the Waterfront where talent 

unleashed will know no bounds! Our 

maritime melodies programme is in 

the hands of the people at this music 

station- well most of the time! Feel 

free to take a moment and share 

the music and good vibes when 

there isn’t a bespoke collaboration 

happening. Keep an eye on the rota 

for this one as we’re planning a few 

special surprises for these keys on the 

quay! 


Pier 24 

This bustling pier is the place to be with a setting 

of serene ships, the smell of delicious food, the pop 

of corks and some brilliant Balearic beats casting a 

chilled out vibe… you’re welcome! 

LegenDerry Food Village: 

Great Place. Great Taste. 

Whether you’re craving street food which packs a 

flavour punch or a chance to experience some local 

produce with live music and a relaxed vibe, we’ve got 

you covered. 

The LegenDerry Food Village brings together the 

very best of the local businesses using the finest 

local, seasonal, sustainable produce and catch to 

create authentic international flavours with a local 

twist. From wood-fired pizza and smoked slow 

barbecued meats to local oysters and sweet treats, 

enjoy a unique food adventure along the city’s iconic 

riverfront. Come and join us. 

We are LegenDerry... 

The Cove 

& Shoreside 

Sounds 

Enjoy an intimate 

setting at our new 

festival bar ~ ‘The Cove’. 

Ambient Shoreside 

Sounds will deliver the 

perfect soundtrack 

with scheduled 

performances from 

our coolest local DJs 

as part of the festival’s 

Maritime Melodies 

programme. 


Pier 24 

Pirates’ Pontoon 

We’ve found a new home for some of the 

beautiful ships attending the festival this 

year but are asking all attendees to be 

on their guard when in this area for there 

have been sightings of the odd pirate 

coming and going from the location over 

the last few weeks. Rumour has it that a 

Ghost Ship, invisible to the human eye, has 

dropped anchor somewhere on the river 

with the pontoon being used as a portal. 

Please report any sightings of a pirate to a 

member of staff immediately. Meanwhile 

don’t let that stop you from taking a tour 

around these beauties... Ahoy Me Hearties! 

Leader 

A traditionally rigged 

Tall Ship built in 1892, 

Leader now acts as a 

Sail Training vessel for 

young people around 

Ireland. Sailing into the 

festival on the morning 

of Friday 28th June, 

the ship arrives with an 

excited group of young 

people who will have 

sailed for the first time 

from Belfast and departs 

on Monday 1st July with 

another group from 

Derry who will make the 

journey back. 

La Malouine 

Originally thought to 

have been built in Poland 

in the 1960s, further 

investigation revealed 

that it may actually have 

been built by Russians 

in 1955. The ship was 

then converted to a 

Brigantine in 1992 by 

Dutch designer Olivier 

Van Meer using drawings. 

We’re delighted it’s 

making it’s debut at FMF 

this summer. 

Klevia 

Built in Denmark in 1936 

for North Sea fishing, this 

ship has been restored 

and traditionally rigged 

as a Gaff Ketch and is 

registered as a sailing 

vessel in the UK. Another 

first for the festival, we 

can’t wait to welcome 

this beautiful boat into 

Foyle Port. 

All of the vessels will provide daily 

tours from 12noon until 8pm. Times 

will be staggered to accommodate 

breaks and ensure several boats can 

be visited at any one time. 


The Bay 

As festival centre point, The Bay is packed with all 

of the site services and water activities expected. 

A natural hub and meeting point, this is where it all 

begins and ends every day. 

Loughs Agency 

Marine Machines & 

VR Experience 

Go Below Blue in a 

virtual trip under the 

surface of Lough Foyle 

and Carlingford Lough 

and encounter a vibrant 

and eclectic range of 

marine life. Get up close 

to a basking shark, 

wonder at the specimen 

tank filled with starfish, 

crabs and anemones or 

try your skills at some 

virtual angling… this 

is maritime with a 21st 

century twist. 

Anchor Stage 

Note the location of this 

pop-up stage right in 

front of Council offices 

as one of the main 

stopping points for the 

range of street animation 

and roving performers 

we have scheduled. 

Highlights include; The 

Causeway Shantymen, 

The Starlets, Beyond 

Blue Flash Mob and Hello 

Sailor. 

Water Activities 

First port of call for 

any water activity is 

the Water Registration 

Tent which is run by the 

Loughs Agency. A range 

of incredible tasters and 

tours are waiting for you 

to try. Access is via the 

pontoon gate adjacent 

to the tent and we have 

a changing tent close by 

for anyone literally taking 

the plunge and getting 

active on the River Foyle. 

Booking is required for 

several of these sessions 

but where possible we 

have left sessions open 

for walk ups. 


The Bay 

Starboard Stage 

& Bar featuring 


Programme 

No trip to the festival 

is complete without 

taking time to enjoy the 

buzzing atmosphere 

of the Starboard 

Festival Bar listening 

to a fantastic array of 

acclaimed local and 

national musicians and 

performers. By the way 

we’ve flipped things 

around for ’24, drop by 

and see a whole new 

view of the riverfront. 

Festival Family Hub 

At #FMF24 everyone is a 

VIP, so our site facilities 

deliver to a standard 

everyone appreciates 

hence posh loos as we 

like to call them, are 

located in two of our 

festival zones with the 

largest set up here in 

the family festival hub. 

There’s also a Parent and 

Baby Changing Area, 

Quiet Time Sensory 

Room, Disabled Toilet, 

Picnic Tables, Showers 

and Water Activities 

Changing Tent. 

Paddy McDonnell 

Starboard Stage 

Thurs 27th June • 9pm 

West Belfast comedian 

Paddy McDonnell 

who started his career 

supporting household 

names such as Des 

Bishop and Ardal 

O’Hanlon. Largely basing 

his comedy from tales of 

working as a taxi man to 

everyday tales of being 

a husband and father, 

Paddy has hosted The 

Empire’s “Belfast Laugh’s 

Back” comedy club and 

has previously sold-out 

solo headline shows 

at the likes of the SSE 

Arena, Ulster Hall and 

The Waterfront. 

Click here for more info. 


FMF ’24 


Acoustic Vibes • Arn • Bang Bike 

Britannia Concert Band • Cathal Francis 

Causeway Shantymen • Claragh Connor 

Conleth McGeary • Dana Ali • Dana Masters 

DJ Charlie Dillon • Darren Doherty 

Emily McCormick • Finfan James • Flair 

Gary Moran • Tiernan Heffron • High Dead End 

Hugo Duncan, BBC • Inishowen Gospel Choir Jason 

Cameron • Kila 5 • Leo Miyagee • Lydia Jackson 

Mick Russell • NI Opera • Nora Jane • Ois Bosh 

Polar Bolero • Queen & Disco • Rachel Mae Hannon 

Radio Houston Project • Reevah • Roe 

The Rosecaps • Ryan Hand • Savage Hearts 

Spin That • String Empire • Telezura • Tessio 

The Henry Girls • The Moodswings 


Coney 

Island 

Reminiscent of old 

seaside promenades 

this area is packed 

with family friendly 

entertainment 

including a supersize 

urban beach and 

stunning vintage 

funfair. 

Science of 

Water: SOW 

Venture into the Science 

of Water, beyond blue 

skies and seas, beyond 

your thoughts and 

imagination, beyond 

what your eyes can 

see, lots of fun with 

Lego ® creations, 

water splashing 

and investigations, 

storytelling, future 

thinking and innovation! 

Beyond Blue, 

It’s up to You 

A unique story telling 

session will take place 

in the SOW tent at 2pm 

daily. Children and adults 

alike will be transported 

to another world where 

they’re asked if they can 

be part of something 

very special. 

Get Up Street 

Art Festival ~ 

Part 1 

Watch Jeks, a top artist 

from the global street art 

scene, create a showstopping 

piece with a 

strong connection to our 

city. This will become a 

legacy piece and remain 

in place for many years 

to come for tourists 

and locals to enjoy. This 

will also go down as 

Northern Ireland’s tallest 

mural to date. 


Derry~Londonderry on 

the North Atlantic (DNA) 

Museum ~ opening in 2026 

Get a glimpse of what will be included in 

the galleries of the new DNA Museum and 

a sense of what life was like for the many 

women who worked in our shirt factories, the 

heartbeat of our city. 

Explore the beautifully illustrated backdrop 

of the River Foyle and share your thoughts 

on the river and why this place is so special. 

Immerse yourself in our rich heritage with the 

TIDE virtual reality experience. 

Try out the Unpath’d Waters Navigator and 

learn about this ground-breaking threeyear 

research project aiming to unite the 

UK’s maritime collections. Trials include the 

creation of interactives to make researching 

our maritime past easier and more engaging. 

DNA 

Thursday - Saturday 

12 noon ~ 9pm 

Sunday • 12noon ~ 6pm 

TIDE VR 

Thursday - Sunday 

12noon - 6pm 


Boardwalk 

Merchant Market 

The Merchant Market brings an 

emporium of continental cuisine and a 

taste of the exotic to the festival, taking 

patrons on a culinary voyage across 

Europe and beyond the Silk Road to 

experience some of the finest culinary 

flavours in the world as well as a host 

of bespoke gifts and surprises. 

Seahorse Boat Club 

Marvel at the detailed model boats 

and test their sea-worthiness in our 

special pool. Will they sink or float? 

*Only on Sunday 

Urban Beach & Picnic Area 

Relax in a deck chair, feel the sand 

between your toes, soak up the 

festival atmosphere, or get creative 

and build a sandcastle. The choice is 

yours! Plus, take advantage of our new 

picnic area, the perfect spot to chill 

out and enjoy a packed lunch or savor 

the delightful treats you’ve picked up 

from the market. 

Beyond Blue: Imagine 

Thursday & Friday • 6pm ~ 10pm 

Saturday • 8pm ~ Midnight 

A dreamlike aerial display, delivered 

by two illuminated sea creatures will 

enchant visitors along the Boardwalk 

each evening. The riverscape will 

be transformed as these floating 

amphibians glide and dance across the 

sky, their ethereal presence a nod to the 

power and poetry of our oceans and 

seas. An invitation to imagine a world 

beyond blue. 

The Happy Wheel 

Enjoy the festival and riverfront from 

a brand new perspective courtesy of 

the Festival Big Wheel which is finally 

returning to the event after missing the 

last few editions of the festival! In fact it’s 

called the Happy Wheel and we’re very 

happy to introduce it in a new location 

along Queens Quay. It comes with its 

own light show which will be seen in all 

its glory when we do all things blue and 

lighting on showcase evening. 


Boardwalk 

Riding the Waves 

27th ~ 29th June: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm 

30th June: 12noon, 2pm, 4pm, 5.30pm 

Delivered by The Edge, we are delighted to 

present a high adrenalin wakeboarding show 

at the festival courtesy of some of Ireland’s 

greatest water sportsmen and women. 

The team will consist of Paul Carroll, who 

was President of the Irish Water Ski and 

Wakeboard Federation, Nicolle Carroll, 

Ireland’s number one female Wakeboarder 

along with Robin Coates and Nico Sweeney 

who have been senior members of the 

Irish Wakeboard Team for many years. 

This is a fast paced, exhilarating water 

sport that combines surfing, water skiing 

and snowboarding techniques to deliver a 

range of breath taking mid-air tricks and 

displays that will enthral spectators. 

Show times are 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7pm daily 

and last 40 minutes. Best viewing location 

is The Boardwalk. 

Get Up Street Art 

Festival ~ Part 2 

Join us from June 27th to 30th 

at the Foyle Maritime Festival 

to experience an explosion of 

colours and creativity. Bringing 

our second instalment of the 

‘Get Up’ Street Art initiative to 

the Maiden City in 2024. Lower 

Clarendon Street will be the main 

hub with art, music, workshops 

and more. There will be 

additional art installations along 

the banks of the Foyle. 

Beyond Blue 

Installations 

Visitors will be treated to a 

series of larger than life illuminated 

installations located along the 

riverfront during Thursday and 

Friday which will increase in 

numbers and luminosity for the 

Showcase event on Saturday. A 

giant octopus and majestic sea 

horses are among the pieces that 

will be enjoyed especially by our 

smallest visitors. All creatures are 

courtesy of North West Carnival 

Group and Artastic. 


Festival 

Showcase 

Beyond Blue 

Saturday 29th June 

8pm ~ 12 midnight 

Our festival showcase is the highlight event of the Foyle Maritime Festival and 

this year we’ve dreamed up a beautiful collage of sights and sounds inspired by 

the festival theme ‘Beyond Blue’. 

A unique choral event entitled ‘A Dusk Chorus’ will begin proceedings at 8pm 

when a selection of choirs and folk groups sing collectively along the banks of 

the Foyle. As dusk descends the quays will transform into a vibrant theatrical 

riverscape with specially lit Tall Ships anchoring out in the river creating a 

stunning backdrop for a bespoke light and fire show commencing at 9pm. 

Experience a night filled with dazzling lights, roaring fires, majestic tall ships, 

vibrant fireworks, flying fish and colourful illuminated sea creatures. Let us take 

you on a journey that stretches beyond blue, beyond the horizon and immerses 

you in a world where the power and poetry of the ocean is celebrated. 

Don’t miss this breathtaking event that promises to captivate and inspire. 


Sea Change, 

Be the Change FMF24 

Water Stations 

There will be 4 water stations at the 

festival located as follows; 

1. Corner of Quayside, Lower 

Clarendon Street ~ Boardwalk 

2. DRD Car Park ~ Coney Island 

3. Council Offices, Fletcher Ave ~ 

The Bay 

4. Legenderry Food Village ~ 

Pier 24 

Bring your water bottle or recycle 

a plastic juice bottle you purchased 

previously and fill up as you like. 

Switch to Repair 

@ The Bay: Starboard Bar 

and Stage 

12noon - 4pm 

Bring your broken electricals to 

our Repair Café where our team of 

volunteers will try to nurse them back 

to health. Run by Repair Café Foyle in 

partnership with Council, and funded 

by Material Focus, this event aims 

to encourage the public to repair 

household items, saving them from 

landfill and saving people money. 

Textiles and toys can also be repaired 

at the pop-up café. 


Beyond the 

Shore 

We have a MASSIVE weekend of 

events at Ebrington Square! 

Locoland 

Friday 28th June 

Bingo Loco bring Locoland to Derry 

headlined by Megstars, Example and 

The Vengaboys. Tickets available via 

www.bingoloco.com. 

Jika Jika Festival 


The Jika Jika Festival with Ewan 

McVicar, Special Request, Eclair Fifi 

and Caoimhe bring their unique 

sounds and energy to the Square. 

Grab your ticket from https://jikajika. 

net/ebrington-square/. 

Jika Jika Festival 

Sunday 30th June 

Complete a weekend of dance with 

the festival finale. US Multi Platinum 

recording artists, Sister Sledge make 

their debut in Derry. Tickets at 

skiddle.com/e/38296472. 

Derry Girls 90’s Disco 


12noon ~ 2pm 

Join us at the Guildhall for a familyfriendly 

throwback disco. Dust off 

your best 90s outfits and show 

off your retro style as we dance to 

classic hits that defined a generation. 

Whether you’re reliving your best 

years or experiencing the 90s vibe for 

the first time, this promises fun for all 

ages. Don’t miss out on the chance to 

party like it’s 1999! 

Le Foyer des Artistes 

Friday 28th June 

Enjoy the Mid Summer Gala Concert, 

the culmination of the Concert Series 

at Saint Columb’s Hall. The winner 

of the St Columb’s Hall Concerto 

Prize returns to play Mozart’s Piano 

Concerto K414. Get your tickets at 

www.lefoyerdesartistes.com. 

Liam O’Maonlaí 


St. Augustine’s Church 

Music Capital presents Ireland’s 

favourite Celtic son, frontman of the 

International folk-pop superstars, 

Hothouse Flowers. Tickets at 

eventbrite.com. 


Beyond Blue ~ 

Be The Change 

We’re steering our 

ship towards a 

GREENER horizon. 

We have made a commitment to Plastic-Free Celebrations 

by: 

• A complete ban on single-use plastics 

• Water stations to quench your thirst sustainably 

• A cup deposit and return scheme at festival bars 

• Mindful Management 

• Strict waste management and recycling guidelines for 

all traders 

• No printed programmes ~ all information is available 

digitally 

• A reduction in our carbon footprint with the 

introduction of new Festival logistical initiatives 

• More eco-friendly energy sources 

• Curtailing international participation by 10% to reduce 

overseas travel emissions. 

20 Foyle Maritime Festival 2024 • foylemaritime.com

Foyle Maritime Festival 2024 Programme

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