Belfast Tall Ships have announced that four local charities will benefit from the massive four day festival which take place between 13th to 16th August around the Port of Belfast.

Dr Gerard O’Hare, chairman of the Tall Ships Festival board, speaking about the charities chosen said, “Belfast Tall Ships are determined that the August event will be more than about the four day spectacular and the appointment of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Sea Cadets, Ocean Youth Trust and Belfast Lough Sailability will hopefully raise the profile of each organisation as well as raising much needed cash for each of them. Each of the charities provides unique services from saving lives around our coasts to providing skills development for young and disabled people.  We truly hope that the free to access Tall Ships festival will allow the public dig deep to help such worthy charities.”

The Tall Ships event will be the largest event, not only in Belfast, but throughout the island of Ireland during 2009. Those attending will have the opportunity to not only see the Tall Ships but to experience four days of fun packed family excitement.

The port of Belfast will be transformed in August to play host to the grand finale of celebrations as the final port of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009.