Foyle Maritime Festival ultimate guide to parking, travel, food and drink

With tens of thousands of people expected at the banks of the Foyle for this year’s Maritime Festival, we’ve compiled everything you need to know before the nautical revelry gets underway in Derry on Thursday.

From car parking, road closures, events, food and drink, we’ve got you covered.

There’s a packed programme of events, with tall ships, on-water activities, feasting, music and animation for the whole family to enjoy as the city gears up for the four-day summertime festival.

Read more: Council promising ‘dynamic programme on and off the water’ as excitement builds in Derry for Maritime Festival

Read more: Foyle Maritime Festival to go ahead in the summer despite absence of Clippers

What’s on

The biggest event in the programme for the 2024 incarnation of the event will be the Festival Spectacle showcase on Saturday June 29th, a bespoke lighting extravaganza on and alongside the river with guest ships and boats, lighting installations, lasers and interactive crowd experiences.

Other core highlights include a showcase of the new DNA museum in the Heritage Tent, a Science of Water experience, tall ships, navy boats, boat tours, river races, taster sessions, the Maritime Markets and Maritime Melodies.

The event space has been completely transformed this year to create a more accessible user-friendly experience for visitors. The full road closure on the Queen’s Quay will open the site up for everyone to safely enjoy the festivities and the redesigned market configuration will provide a more visitor friendly environment. The new look festival programme also boasts some fantastic additions this year, with even more free animation and activity for families.

Food and Drink

Fabulous food is definitely on the menu at the festival and there’s a place for everyone at the Captain’s Table, which will provide an enhanced dining experience with even more delicious delights on offer. There will be additional seating and tables along the Quayside for diners, and of course picnic fans who are welcome to bring their own homemade treats along.

The culinary experience continues in the Legenderry Food Village where an array of local food businesses will be showcasing the very best in local and sustainable produce. Enjoy a medley of international dishes, from authentic South African street food to smoking US barbeque. Soak up the festival vibes with DJ sets keeping the ambient mood going in the bar area all weekend.

Traffic and travel

During The Foyle Maritime Festival, Queen’s Quay will be closed from Harbour Square to Queen’s Quay Roundabout from 8pm on 24th June until 7am on 2nd of July to facilitate the festival.

Derry City & Strabane Chief Inspector Luke Moyne said: “We are working with partners to ensure the appropriate plans are in place for this significant event and we would encourage the public, and all those attending, to make themselves aware of traffic plans and restrictions that will be in place.

“The focus of the Festival is along The Quay area, which means there will be a road closure in the city centre, and an impact on traffic. We’re encouraging people to follow traffic information and directional signs on approach to the city. From a public safety point of view, we’re asking motorists to be aware of larger than usual pedestrian numbers, and for those pedestrians to take care when they are out and about.

“We are also asking groups going to any of the evening events, to make plans for how they will get home and for them to stay together safely at all times.”

Chief Inspector Moyne added: “Our officers will have a visible presence to provide advice and help to the public and assist with traffic arrangements. We’ll also have our mobile police station available from 27th to 29th June, which will be parked along The Quay, in the area beside Sainsbury’s carpark where the public can chat to police about any issues of concern and where we’ll also have our popular free bike marking service (see details below).

“We would also remind the public that on-street drinking is only lawful in the areas clearly marked as designated zones only within the specified times.”

Chief Inspector Moyne added: “For those people not attending the Festival please be advised that due to increased traffic you may want to allow extra time for your journey should your route take you through or past the city.

“We hope to see a large number of people enjoying themselves over the course of the four days, and our request is for everyone to enjoy themselves in a safe and respectful manner. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the city.”

Public transport

Translink will be operating several additional late bus and coach services from Derry~Londonderry on Saturday 29th June during the city’s Foyle Maritime Festival.

All extra services will depart from inside Foyle Street Bus Station at 23:30 and include Goldliner journeys bound for Belfast and Coleraine, Ulsterbus routes to Strabane, Limavady and Dungiven and Foyle Metro services covering Cityside and Waterside routes.

Extra services leaving from inside Foyle Street Bus Station at 23:30 on Saturday 29th June:

212 – To Belfast, stopping at Dungiven, Maghera, Magherafelt, Castledawson, Toome

234 – To Coleraine, stopping at Eglinton, Greysteel, Ballykelly, Limavady

148 – To Dungiven, stopping at Drumahoe Park and Ride, Claudy, Feeny

143 – To Limavady, stopping at Strathfoyle, Eglinton, Greysteel, Ballykelly

98 – To Strabane, stopping at Newbuildings, Magheramason, Ballymagorry

3N – To Kilfennan, Gobnascale, Drumahoe, Curryneirin

7N – To Brandywell, Creggan, Hazelbank, Ballymagroarty, Nelson Drive, Limavady Rd

12N – To Carnhill, Slievemore, Skeoge, Culmore

Parking

Free Festival Car Parking is available at Fort George, BT48 7PT

This site has direct pedestrian access to the Festival and entry is via The Bay Road.

The times are as follows:

Thursday 27th June 11.00 – 23.00; Friday 28th June 11.00 – 23.00; Saturday 29th June 11.00 – 24.00; Sunday 30th June 11.00 – 19.00

Accessible Parking is available at Strand Road Carpark

Existing City Centre Car parks including:

Foyleside Shopping Centre

Quayside Shopping Centre

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