THE Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet enjoyed a LegenDerry welcome from local businesses who took part in the Adopt a Boat scheme that was initiated by Derry City and Strabane District Council as part of the Foyle Maritime Festival.
Businesses and hospitality venues in the city were paired up with the twelve Clipper Race crews to host a series of themed events for each of the race teams during their stay and the scheme has been a great success and hugely beneficial for everyone involved.
Welcoming the initiative the Mayor, Alderman Hilary McClintock said the Adopt a Boat initiative was a great working partnership that brought mutual benefits for the crews and local participating businesses.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the local businesses who signed up to be part of the Adopt the Boat scheme and for the wonderful hospitality they have provided to the crews during their visit to our city.
“The crews have been really impressed with the welcome they have received and the businesses have reaped the benefits in terms of increasing footfall to the venues.”
Catrina Myers from the Everglades Hotel who hosted the Derry team said they enjoyed being a Team Host.
‘The Everglades Hotel was absolutely delighted to host the local Derry Clipper Race crew on Monday as part of the Foyle Maritime Festival.
“The crew were provided with the finest in Irish hospitality using locally sourced food and drink, in Northern Ireland’s Year of Food & Drink and entertained by local musicians, dancers & singers.
“The festival brings a fantastic atmosphere as well as increased footfall from all over the world to the city.
“We would like to wish the crew of Derry as well as all the other crew members, a safe onward journey and take with them special memories of their visit to this city and the Everglades Hotel.”
The Bentley Bar played host to IchorCoal and had this to say about the scheme: “We loved having the IchorCoal team.
“They embody the essence of the Clipper Race and its participants, warm and friendly, they made friends with the staff and shared their experience all the while partaking in the craic and plenty of “dark and stormy” cocktails in our beer garden.
“It was an absolute pleasure to host them.”
Visit Seattle had the pleasure of being hosted by Granny Annie’s, and their manager Gerard Casey said they felt privileged to host the team.
“As hosts we were able to offer Visit Seattle great products and services that kept them coming back for more and insured that they brought their friends and family. #
The Everglades Hotel.
“We were also overwhelmed by the response from the other crews that joined them and the feedback from all on social media.
“We are already looking forward to hosting more events and promoting what we do while representing our city.”
Lynda Lynch from the City Hotel said that hosting Clipper Telemed+ was a great opportunity for the city to showcase its business.
“We were delighted to be a Team Host and treated the crew to a drinks reception & gala dinner served up with a river view of the festival and Clipper Race boats.
“Feedback from the crew has been fantastic with many expressing they were impressed with the warmth of the welcome of the people of the city. We wish all the crews the best of luck for the final leg of the race to the Netherlands.”
While the Sandwich Company who hosted the Unicef team said: “We were delighted to serve and entertain the Unicef crew and wish them every success and a safe journey for the remainder of the race.”
The Adopt the Boat Team Hosts are as follows: City Hotel (ClipperTelemed+); RoCo (Da Nang – Viet Nam); The Everglades Hotel (Derry); Da Vinci’s (Garmin): The Blackbird (GREAT Britain); The Bentley (IchorCoal); Bishop’s Gate Hotel (LMAX Exchange); Pyke ‘N’ Pommes (Mission Performance); The Sandwich Co (PSP Logistics); Browns in Town (Qingdao); Walled City Brewery (Unicef); and Granny Annie’s (Visit Seattle).
For further information and business opportunities during the festival, visit www.foylemaritimefestival.com
