This event – a boat cruise from the slipway near Sainsbury’s to the mouth of the River Foyle – proved to be one of the most interesting and well-attended events of the Foyle Landscape Project.
Almost one hundred people boarded ‘The Maid of Antrim’ at 11.00am on Saturday 20 October 2012 for a day-long cruise, organised by Dr Liam Campbell, Project Officer with the Foyle Landscape Project. Thereafter, Dr Billy Kelly and Dr Eamonn O Ciardha, both of the History Department of the University of Ulster, maintained a commentary on the historic landmarks on both banks, the events of the historic Siege, the ‘Flight of the Earls’ and the River Foyle’s important and strategic role in the Second World War. Their narrative was enlivened by an additional impromptu -and unscripted – talk by Professor Paul McKevitt, a Foyle Civic Trust member and a native of Moville, whose local knowledge proved second to none.
After a hearty lunch on board, ‘The Maid of Antrim’ headed back towards the city, with its passengers and crew in light-hearted mood after a breezy morning on board. The boat docked in Derry at approximately 4.00pm, just after the presentation of a bottle of ‘Navy Rum’ to Dr Liam Campbell in appreciation of a well-organised and very enjoyable event.
