Derry Gears Up For More 'Clipper' Celebrations

The arrival of the Clipper Race in Derry on three previous occasions has been a huge boost to the local economy.

- Alan Healy

DERRY is getting the Clipper Race back in 2018 for a ‘fraction of the cost’ the event would have previously cost, a local councillor has claimed.

The round-the-world yacht race will return to Derry next year as part of the 2018 Maritime Festival, with the city acting as a host port during the event.

However, unlike previous years, there will be no boat from Derry taking part in the race, as there is no funding currently available for the sponsorship.

The news that the race would be returning to the River Foyle emerged at a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Business and Culture meeting held in Strabane on Tuesday, where councillors approved a budget of £250,000 for the event.

At the meeting, councillors were told that a cost of £977,000 was incurred by the council, when it sponsored a vessel, the Derry/Londonderry/Doire yacht, in the 2015/16 race.

Council also spent £83,000 on marketing the Foyle Maritime Festival in 2016.