The Foyle Maritime Festival returns to Derry~Londonderry’s iconic riverfront from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th June 2026 for four unforgettable days of maritime magic.
Northern Ireland’s premier maritime celebration, and one of the most significant and distinctive maritime events in Europe, the Festival transforms the River Foyle into a spectacular showcase where majestic tall ships from across Europe dock alongside world-class entertainment, featuring circus performances, street art, live music stages, on-the-water activities, family-friendly workshops, continental markets and culinary adventures with award-winning local produce.
The vibrant city of Derry~Londonderry sits on the banks of the River Foyle in the northwest of the island of Ireland. Close to Strabane, a large rural area dominated by the heather-covered Sperrin Mountains, the city is a gateway to the famous Irish coastal routes of the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coast.
Derry’s maritime story is unique and encompasses a world-class history spanning thousands of years. As the epicenter of emigration to the New World for much of Ireland in the 19th and 20th centuries, it then became the most significant military base for the US Navy in Europe during World War II. Derry’s quayside also played a key role in the Cold War as an anti-submarine training facility and center of ship repair. Our very special relationship with the sea and maritime culture has rooted a seafaring spirit deep within the city and its people, making it the perfect home for the Foyle Maritime Festival.
Derry is proudly the only completely walled city in Ireland and the UK and recently celebrated the 400th birthday of its ‘legendary’ fortifications. Home to 1450 years of history, including the Siege of Derry, the surrender of the Battle of the Atlantic, and the Battle of the Bogside, it also has strong musical, sporting, political, and cultural connections and is home to two Nobel Prize winners.
Visit Derry‑Londonderry and take a stroll across the Peace Bridge, which sweeps over the River Foyle, leading to the historic Ebrington Square with its breathtaking views over the city and the surrounding Waterside neighborhood. Here, the city’s contemporary energy meets its heritage, with elegant dining and craft brewing at the Walled City Brewery offering a refined pause for locally inspired flavors in a striking riverside setting. Known for its warm and welcoming hospitality, a visit to Derry’s lively pubs for a Guinness, live music, and plenty of craic is a must.
Take some time to travel to the Sperrin Mountain range in Strabane. One of Ireland’s largest mountain ranges, yet one of the least explored on the island, it is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and hugely appealing to hikers.
Known for the kindness, humor, and generous spirit of its people, Derry~Londonderry and Strabane district is a hopeful and welcoming place, emerging from the memories of a troubled past and brimming with culture, optimism, and creativity – celebrating a legacy of maritime splendor in the heart of Derry‑Londonderry, where the Causeway Coastal Route meets the Wild Atlantic Way.
