The Irish will welcome over 50 majestic Tall Ships from 12 countries, some 1,400 sail trainees and an anticipated 500,000 maritime, music and festival fans to the quays of Waterford City this weekend for the biggest party of 2011.  The Tall Ships Races, which first visited the Viking city in 2005, return this year from 30 June to 3 July with a world-class festival programme capturing the very best of Irish and international acts, street theatre, fireworks, music and food. To view Multimedia News Release, go to