Foyle Maritime Festival makes a splash once again
29 June 2026
The River Foyle took centre stage over the weekend as Derry welcomed tens of thousands of visitors to the quayside for the spectacular Foyle Maritime Festival which ended last night with a fabulous fireworks finale.
Under this year’s theme, ‘Forged on the Foyle: It’s in Our DNA’ the four-day celebration paid tribute to the river’s enduring role as a gateway for trade, migration and cultural exchange.
Sunshine and showers were the feature of the festival as it served up a generous helping of maritime heritage, live entertainment and immersive experiences, transforming the riverfront into a vibrant maritime village. Among the standout moments was the arrival of the striking Galeón Andalucía, a full-scale replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon, alongside a fleet of visiting tall ships including The Phoenix, La Malouine, Sea Snail, and the The Klevia who travelled from ports across the world to be part of the celebration.
Visitors enjoyed a packed schedule both on and off the water, with thrilling wakeboard and waterski displays, colourful carnival performances, street theatre, storytelling and hands-on STEAM workshops. The popular LegenDerry Food Village and bustling Maritime Market showcased the very best in local produce, crafts and culinary creativity, while unique outdoor dining experiences proved a major draw.
As night fell, the festival took on a magical new dimension with Sails of Solas, an illuminated riverscape experience, alongside live music and entertainment. The festival reached a spectacular conclusion on Sunday night with a dazzling fireworks display over the Foyle and the dusk performance Departures by the NI Rock Choir.
Throughout the weekend the event also built on its strong sustainability credentials, with single-use plastics banned, enhanced recycling initiatives in place and a focus on reducing environmental impact, reflecting the city’s commitment to greener event delivery.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, today praised the massive effort behind the event, saying: “The Foyle Maritime Festival has been a truly outstanding celebration of our city, our people and our river. This year’s theme, ‘Forged on the Foyle – it’s in our DNA’ beautifully captured the vital role the River Foyle has played in shaping our identity and heritage.
“Despite some challenges thrown at us by the weather Gods, the majority of the programme went ahead as planned, and it was fantastic to see how many people turned out to support the event. I want to sincerely thank everyone involved, from the organisers and performers – who were kept on their toes by the rain, but worked so hard to ensure everyone had a wonderful experience. To the volunteers and local businesses, whose dedication and hard work made this festival such an incredible success. The atmosphere across the city was electric, and it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying everything we have to offer.”
Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Interim Head of Culture, Jacqueline Whoriskey, also reflected on the wider benefits of the festival. “The Foyle Maritime Festival continues to reinforce Derry’s growing reputation as a leading festival and cultural destination,” she said.
“This year’s programme showcased the very best of our maritime heritage alongside world-class entertainment and creative experiences.
“Events like this play a crucial role in supporting our local economy while shining an international spotlight on Derry.
“But more importantly they bring people together in the spirit of celebration, connection and community.”