Dublin Port was final host port for the annual Tall Ships Races of 2012, with the 43-strong tall ship fleet gathering at the Irish capital between 23 and 25 August and attracting more than a million visitors. The capital last hosted the race in 1998, since when the Docklands quarter has been transformed and the ships have had to compete with a new profile of bridges and office blocks lining the Liffey.
There were fewer A-class vessels on this occasion, but visitors included Amerigo Vespucci, Danmark, ORP Iskra and Alexandra Von Humboldt II, which was completed last year and made her debut. UK representatives included Lord Nelson, Pelican of London and Stavros S. Niarchos. From Ireland was the C class schooner Spirit of Oysterhaven and Irish Navy’s sailing reserve D class ketch Creidne.
The first race leg set off from St Malo in early July to Lisbon, then Cadiz (26-29 July), followed by a cruise in company to La Coruña (10-13 August). From the Spanish port the final race leg was to Tuskar Rock Lighthouse.
