Derry’s rich heritage is centre stage at Foyle Maritime Festival
23 June 2026
programme of activities and events taking place during the Foyle Maritime Festival, running from Thursday 25th – to Sunday 28thJune.
Visitors will have the chance to find out how the city has been ‘Forged by the Foyle’, and the river’s pivotal role in driving trade, industry and global connections across the North West.
The event will celebrate the people and stories that have shaped the city’s maritime legacy and visitors will be invited to step back in time and immerse themselves in centuries of history, brought to life through engaging exhibits and costumed characters.
The River Foyle has long served as the industrial and economic epicentre of the region, with its bustling quays once handling vast quantities of imported goods such as grain and coal, while exporting locally manufactured products to markets around the world. From its evolution as an 18th-century timber hub to a key emigration gateway and World War II naval base, the river continues to symbolise the resilience and ambition of the city.
The festival map itself references some of the key historic locations and characters, including Coppins Quay - once home to Coppin’s thriving shipyard and engineering works employing hundreds of local men, and Thompsons Quay, (now the site of the City Hotel) a former hub of grain and flour milling that bustled with trade and transport activity.
Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, said the festival provided a unique opportunity to celebrate our unique local heritage. “The Foyle Maritime Festival offers a wonderful chance for both residents and visitors to connect with the stories that have shaped our city and region. The River Foyle has been central to our economic and cultural development for centuries, linking us to the wider world and supporting generations of workers, traders and innovators. This festival honours that legacy in a way that is both educational and entertaining for all ages.”
Visitors will encounter a host of living history characters portraying influential figures from Derry’s past. Among them is legendary aviator Amelia Earhart, whose historic solo transatlantic flight ended in Ballyarnett in 1932, making her the first woman to fly alone across the Atlantic and breaking multiple aviation records.
Festival-goers will also encounter Andrew Alexander Watt, the renowned whiskey distiller behind The Tyrconnell brand, whose dramatic closure of his Abbey Street distillery in 1921 marked the end of a significant chapter in the city’s industrial story.
Bringing maritime innovation to life is William Coppin, the pioneering shipbuilder and inventor who transformed Derry into a major 19th-century maritime hub. His engineering feats, including the construction of the Great Northern steamship, highlight the ingenuity and ambition that defined the local shipbuilding industry.
The festival also pays tribute to the thousands of women who powered Derry’s world-renowned shirt industry. Visitors will get to see an original sewing machine factory bench and meet an early 20th-century shirt factory worker character. Her story reflects the vital role women and young girls played in sustaining families and building a global manufacturing powerhouse under demanding conditions.
Many of these stories will be captured for future generations in the new DNA (Derry~Londonderry on the North Atlantic) Museum which is currently under construction at Ebrington Square. Visitors can find out more about the plans for the state of the art heritage experience in the DNA Tent which will host a range of family friendly activities throughout the festival.
Margaret Edwards, Council’s Museum Service Manager, emphasised the importance of storytelling in preserving local heritage: “Our aim is to make history engaging and meaningful. It’s fantastic that the festival celebrates the links between past and present and is keeping the names of some of the North West’s most influential figures in conversation. The characters in the DNA Tent will help bring these remarkable stories to life, allowing people to connect with the individuals behind the events. From industrial pioneers to everyday workers, each story is a vital part of our shared heritage, and we’re delighted to showcase them as part of the festival experience.”
With a packed programme of events, interactive experiences and family-friendly activities, the Foyle Maritime Festival promises something for everyone.
The Festival is delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council in close partnership with the Foyle Port and Loughs Agency with funding from Tourism NI and Diageo.
For information on the full Foyle Maritime Festival programme visit – https://foylemaritime.com/