A flotilla of French naval training ships has docked at Limerick harbour for the first time in over 333 years as a courtesy call, celebrating the friendship between Ireland and France and marking once again the close ties between the two countries around the historic flight of the Wild Geese.
The four ships, know as Bateaux-Ecole, as they are exclusively used for training French navy cadets in navigation and rescue techniques, have docked in Limerick for the next four days.
Crew members will attend the annual United Nations Peacekeepers day ceremony at St Mary's Cathedral in the city on Sunday, which is organised by the veterans association, the IUNVA.
A fifth boat will dock tomorrow. The boats are all recognised by their animal inspired names, Chacal, Guépard, Léopard, Tigre and Lynx, Jackal, Cheetah, Leopard Tiger and Lynx.
It is a very different arrival to the last journey of French ships up the Shannon in 1691, when the French navy arrived as reinforcements during the Williamite War in Ireland.
They arrived after the siege in the Treaty city shortly after leader of the Jacobite army Patrick Sarsfield had signed the Treaty of Limerick, which subsequently led to the exile to France of over 12,000 Irish soldiers and their families who became known as the Wild Geese.
This historic bond between France and Ireland is commemorated annually in the city during the Limerick Wild Geese Festival which takes place this year on 6 and 7 July.
French Consul in Limerick Loic Guyon said: "Limerick has a very strong connection to France that dates back centuries, notably during the sieges of the city in 1690 and 1691.
"Every year the Limerick Wild Geese festival, organised in conjunction with Alliance Française, commemorates and celebrates this historic connection and friendship between the two countries.
"To see such a large fleet of French vessels sail to Limerick for the first time since 1691 is therefore really significant.
"About 150 French trainee sailors and their officers will be spending the weekend in Limerick on a courtesy visit and this is truly historic."
