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Tender for Nighttime Illumination of Tall Ships at 2026 Foyle Maritime Festival

Descriptions

Derry and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) invites proposals from suitably qualified organisations to illuminate the ships and vessels procured for 3 nights of the 2026 Foyle Maritime Festival which will take place from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th June next year. Applauded for its ambitious and dynamic programme of events both on and off the water, the award-winning festival is located alongside the River Foyle in the heart of Derry city, spanning 1.5 miles along the riverfront. A range of themed zones and performance spaces are located throughout, all set to a magical backdrop of live music, animation, markets, visiting ships and boats, fantastic food and bespoke keynote events. Renowned as one of the largest maritime events to occur in Ireland and the UK, this bi-annual event attracted approximately 135,000 attendees when it last occurred for 4 days in 2024, appealing to local, regional, national and international visitors. For 2026 Council are extending the spectacle and magic created by former festival showcases by delivering a light installation over 3 nights of the festival from 9pm until dawn. Entitled ‘Sails of Solas’, the illumination of the tall masts and sails of the ships procured for the festival, will create a striking display of light and reflection along the riverfront. The bespoke illumination of the boats will present them in a new light emphasising their grandeur and majesty while the timing of the display invites people to revel in a private viewing as the city and ships sleep. Your submission must be submitted via etendersNI, via this CFT. No other method of submissions will be accepted. Please refer to the CfT documents for further detail.