We set sail for Drogheda yesterday to check out the return of Ireland’s largest maritime festival. The Irish Maritime Festival attracted over 40,000 visitors from far and wide last year and won Failte Ireland’s Best Tourism Initiative 2015. The festival is taking place all weekend on the quayside at Drogheda Port and is hosted by Louth County Council, Drogheda Port Company and Maxol, and features loads of on the water action plus a Viking Village, an artisan food and craft beer zone, a fashion health and beauty zone and loads of family friendly activities for the kids.
A number of beautiful boats sailed in for the weekend including the tall ship Phoenix, a 112 foot long twin masted Brigantine that has featured in numerous films and tv shows.
There was also some vintage RNLI life boats.
And a custom patrol boat.
The theme for the festival was Vikings. In the Viking Village visitors could learn all about how to live like a viking and the vikings put on some impressive battle reenactments.
There was plenty of crafts stalls, a fashion health and beauty zone as well as craft beers and artisan food stalls with the best of local produce.
There was also plenty of opportunities to get hands on a try things out. Marine Dimensions were showcasing some of the wonderful marine life in our oceans.
The School of Irish Archaeology was giving budding archaeologists a chance to try out a dig.
There was also plenty of entertainment for the whole family with street performers, live music on two stages, amusements, puppets shows and so much more.
And the fun continued on the water with displays, races and a pirate battle!
The Irish Maritime Festival continues all day and is definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area. Admission Prices: €10.00 Family Pass (2 Adults/2 Children) €5 Adults, €4 Teens, Students and Seniors.
For more information visit: Maritimefestival.ie
