Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s, one of the largest international arts festivals on the island of Ireland, has announced P&O Ferries as its preferred ferry partner in advance of its official opening on Friday 15th October.
Recent statistics show that nearly 10% of all visitors attending the festival come from outside Northern Ireland and P&O Ferries will provide a vital transport link into the city of Belfast from Scotland and North England.
As part of P&O Ferries involvement with the festival, the company has teamed up
with critically acclaimed Circa, hailed as one of the most dynamic forces in new circus and one of the top billed acts performing at this year’s festival. Combining acrobatic and tumbling sequences in contemporary dance the show, which will appeal to all ages, is performing in the Belfast Waterfront from 26th to 30th October.
Tracy Robb, Marketing Manager for P&O Ferries, said: “The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s has continued to grow in size, stature and popularity and today is one of Northern Ireland’s key tourist attractions drawing visitors from as far afield as GB, Europe and beyond. As operators of the shortest, fastest and most frequent crossings between Ireland and Scotland, P&O Ferries is delighted to strengthen its relationship with the festival and is looking forward to bringing many new visitors across to Northern Ireland to sample this years exciting programme of events.”
P&O Ferries operates 20 sailings per day on its routes between Larne and Troon and Cairnryan, and four sailings per day between Dublin and Liverpool.
Festival Director, Graeme Farrow, said: “Cultural tourism is becoming increasingly important to the local economy. Our partnership with P&O Ferries is helping to attract and grow new audiences from outside Northern Ireland to the festival.
“Furthermore over 500 visiting artists will be participating in this year’s festival, many of whom will be travelling from gigs in Scotland, England and beyond. From huge theatre productions to unbelievable circus, this year we are welcoming some of the world’s biggest productions who bring with them a huge amount of support staff and technical equipment. It is great to have a partner like P&O Ferries who can help us transport this equipment and support these trips.”
The festival will bring the very best in local and international music, theatre, dance, visual arts and spoken word to Belfast in a packed 16 day programme running from 15-30 October.
For more information on all day trips or to book, visit www.poferries.com. To book tickets to see Circa or to find out more about this year’s festival log on to www.belfastfestival.com or call 028 90971197.
