This year Derry’s iconic Foyle Port celebrates its 170th anniversary as the heart of trade, industry, and tourism for our city and the North West. This milestone year was recently celebrated at the Foyle Maritime Festival where the Port hosted a special quayside reception for employees and their families.

The team came together to celebrate the company’s success over the years with live music, family entertainment and delicious BBQ. They were joined by special guest, Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr.

The Maritime Festival provided an opportunity to look back and reflect on the remarkable history of the Foyle as a key Irish port for transatlantic trade, a centre for emigration, and a strategic military base. Foyle Port has been integral to the city’s growth and development.

Today, Foyle Port operates as a vital bulk port, renewable energy platform and supporter of cruise tourism, making essential contributions to the North West of Ireland’s economy.

Saga Spirit of Adventure

Derry’s economy has felt the positive effect that these cruise ships bring to our city; 2023 was a record year for the Port as they welcomed 16,000 passengers and crew.

Six of the calls this year will be inaugural visits showing growth in demand for the destination. This is due to the unique location of the Port, which provides access to Derry city, the Causeway Coastal Route and Wild Atlantic Way. Cruise tourism to the region is expected to grow as the Port is projecting a 50% rise in cruise calls in 2025 from pre-pandemic levels.

The third inaugural call of the year, Silver Spirit from luxury cruise line Silversea, will anchor in Greencastle tomorrow, Saturday 20th.

Hebridean Princess, which was chartered twice by the late Queen Elizabeth II, is due to overnight in the city centre at Fort George next week on Wednesday 24th.

All here at Derry Chamber wish to congratulate the Port on 170 years of leading in the North West’s economy; here’s to 170 more!