Munster Express Online

Pictured as the host port, education and media partners for Waterford’s hosting of The Tall Ships Races 2011 were announced on board the ‘Lord Nelson’ in Waterford on Wednesday were (l-r) Conor Doyle, WIT; Elaine Carey, 3; Marcus Goodwin, Bulmers Original Irish Cider; David McCoy, Waterford Crystal and Nuala Carey, RTÉ. | Photo: Dylan Vaughan

With just 10 months to go to Waterford’s hosting of The Tall Ships Races 2011, the event has received a €450,000-plus boost with host port partners coming on board.

With more than 500,000 visitors expected in the city over four days next summer, 3, Bulmers Original Irish Cider and Waterford Crystal have been named as host port partners while Waterford Institute of Technology are host port education partners and RTÉ will be the official media partner locally. Between them they will provide funding and related supports worth more than €450,000.

Waterford City Council and the Port of Waterford Company are already in place as lead delivery agencies having jointly mounted the successful bid to secure the event’s return following Waterford’s hosting in 2005.

Welcoming the strong backing announced at a reception on board the Lord Nelson sail training vessel in Waterford on Wednesday, Mayor Mary Roche said their support represents “a welcome vote of confidence in our hosting of this massive event and is all the more appreciated in an economic climate where marketing and sponsorship spending has been hit across the board.”

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