Mícheál Ó Foghlú's Weblog

Tall Ships: Parade of Sail

Early this morning between 7am and 8am the Tall Ships left Waterford and set sail down the river Suir towards the estuary. They headed out past Cheekpoint, Crook, Passage East, Ballyhack and assembled at Dunmore East between 10am and 1pm before going off to race to Cherburg in France this afternoon from offshore of Hook Head at 2pm.

Note that the expression "by Hook or by Crook" comes from Cromwell's statement about how to take Waterford city, by Hook Head or Crook Head (the former being on the County Wexford side of the estuary and the latter on the County Waterford side) c.f. origin of "by hook or by crook".

The whole Tall Ships event has been very successful by all informal feedback and media-filtered feedback I have heard. It was enjoyable for the locals, for the visitors who came to see the Tall Ships and for the crews and helpers on board the various vessels. I think it's given the people of the South East a feel for what can be gained by organising a big event like this, and I hope to see more of the same in the future.