Council Creates Innovative Eco Rest Stops for Foyle Maritime Festival Visitors
26 June 2026
Sustainability plays a key role in many Derry City and Strabane District Council events, and this year’s Foyle Maritime Festival is taking that commitment a step further with new eco-themed rest points located throughout the festival site.
Four themed rest points have been created, providing visitors with places to sit and relax while also learning about key environmental topics: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Waste and Recycling, and Food Sustainability.
Council’s Waste and Recycling Officer, Julie Hannaway, said the team were delighted to add this new concept to the festival this year.
“We’re thrilled to have this new addition to the sustainability offerings at this year’s Foyle Maritime Festival.
“In keeping with the Council’s strong commitment to sustainability, it was imperative that this ethos was embedded throughout the design and construction of the environmental-themed rest points. Wherever possible, reused and repurposed materials were selected in preference to new raw materials, ensuring that the project not only promotes environmental awareness but also demonstrates sustainable practices in action.”
Each wooden structure and bench has been constructed using reclaimed timber salvaged from old planters. The metal angle iron recovered from within the planters was also repurposed and incorporated into the design, creating removable suspended planting boxes within the central void of each structure. Reclaimed posts from another project were reused to support and display the educational information panels.
The Waste and Recycling Rest Point features iron grid fencing that had previously served as perimeter fencing and was destined for metal recycling. Instead, it has been given a new purpose as part of the display. The Biodiversity Rest Point includes several bug hotels made from hexagonal shelving units that were also rescued from disposal and creatively repurposed.
To encourage pollinators and other wildlife, a variety of wildflowers and bedding plants have been planted throughout the displays, providing valuable habitats and food sources for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Locally grown vegetables and herbs have also been incorporated into the planting schemes.
All of the compost used across the four displays was produced from food and garden waste collected through local brown-bin recycling schemes, demonstrating how everyday waste can be transformed into a valuable resource for growing plants and supporting biodiversity.
The Foyle Maritime Festival takes place from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th June 2026 from 12pm-11pm each day. To check out the full programme of events and find out more about the festival, please visit www.foylemaritime.com
The Foyle Maritime 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.