The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Forged by the Foyle: It’s in Our DNA’

The Foyle Maritime Festival returns to Derry’s iconic riverfront later this month for four unforgettable days of maritime magic.

Northern Ireland’s premier maritime celebration transforms the River Foyle into a spectacular showcase where majestic tall ships from across Europe dock alongside world-class entertainment, featuring circus performances, street art, live music stages, on-the-water activities, family friendly workshops, continental markets and culinary adventures with award-winning local produce.

In anticipation of the 2027 opening of a £15 Million investment, Derry North Atlantic Museum, DNA Museum, the theme of this year’s festival is ‘Forged by the Foyle: It’s in Our DNA’.

The riverfront will come alive daily from 12 noon to 11pm between Thursday, June 25, and Sunday, June 28.

This year will bring back crowd pleasing classics as well as Northern Irish debuts.

Here are some of the things you won’t want to miss.

1. Galeón Andalucía

This year, festival organisers are delighted to welcome the magnificent Galeón Andalucía with its Northern Ireland debut.

Built in southern Spain, this 55-metre, six-deck replica of a Spanish galleon offers a glimpse into the age of exploration. It is also the only sailing vessel of its kind in the world.

Don’t miss the opportunity to come aboard and experience history firsthand.

2. Tall Ships

The Phoenix is owned by a French company who are touring Europe to showcase the magic and splendour of this magnificent Tall Ship. The ship wowed spectators with her cannon salutes and majestic sails in 2024 and organisers are honoured to have her take a break from an intense film schedule to drop anchor at the festival once again.

Making its debut at the festival this year, a “sea snail” tall ship typically refers to the beloved classic 56-foot Danish schooner Sea Snail or the formidable “iron snail” sailing vessels. These rugged, historic tall ships are heavily known for hands-on, traditional sailing experiences, blue-water adventures, and enduring intense storms when modern fiberglass boats fail. This particular vessel was Sea built in Denmark in 1932 as a North Sea wet fish boat – she had a hold that was filled with sea water to keep the fish alive! Converted from fishing to charter/sail training in 1980, she currently resides in Co Down.

The festival is honoured to welcome the French Ecole Navale and their sail training vessel, Mutin which is part of the Marine Nationale. This ship played an undercover role as a spy-boat during the second world. Taking cover in Plymouth when the Germans bombed her port town of Brest, she was requisitioned to the British Secret Services for the remainder of the war carrying out special missions for British agents as far as the Adriatic coasts before returning to the French Navy in 1945.

Built in Crosshaven, Cork in 1956 as a naval tender, Eabora was converted to sail by renowned Scottish novelist Alistair MacLean, famous for bestselling novels and films including Where Eagles Dare and When Eight Bells Toll.

MacLean purchased the boat as part of his research for When Eight Bells Toll, immersing himself in life at sea to bring authenticity to his writing. The vessel remains closely linked to the adventurous spirit and maritime legacy that inspired many of his celebrated works.

Built in Denmark in 1936 for fishing in the North Sea, Klevia has been restored and traditionally rigged as a Gaff Ketch and is registered as a sailing vessel in the UK. Another stunning vessel, we can’t wait to welcome back this beautiful boat into Foyle Port.

3. Sails of Solace Light Show, Thursday 25th, Friday 26th & Saturday 27th June 10pm-3am each night

Step back in time and enjoy a breathtaking illuminated riverscape, with masts and beams stretching into the night sky reminiscent of days when the Derry Docks were home to a fleet of working ships.

For 2026 Visual Spectrum will transform our visiting Tall Ships into a unified artwork of light and reflection, presenting them in a new light that celebrates their grandeur and majesty while the timing of the display invites visitors to revel in a private viewing as the city and ships sleep.

Some special installations from Wonderlights will enable a family of seals and the ghost of Dopey Dick to appear under the cover of darkness, look to the horizon and see golden sails stretching towards the night sky.

This curated experience invites visitors to come at their leisure outside the trading hours of the festival and enjoy the space and time to take in the festival riverscape with the masts of visiting ships and their illuminated reflections creating a temporary but beautiful experience that disappears with dawn each day.

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4. Water Activities

No maritime festival would be complete without a full programme of activities on the river.

First port of call is the Water Registration Tent, managed by the Loughs Agency who have curated a packed itinerary that caters for all ages and abilities and will delight participants and spectators alike.

The tent is located beside the South Pontoon entrance, where all taster sessions and tours depart. A changing tent is also available in the family festival hub for anyone taking the plunge and needing to dry off.

Experienced providers will offer inclusive, bespoke experiences for all abilities. Some sessions require booking, while others are available for walk-ups where possible.

A full list of activities can be found here.

Crowds at the Foyle Maritime Festival 2026 are also set for another adrenaline-filled spectacle as The Edge Wakeboarding Team returns to the River Foyle with a daily programme of high-energy wakeboard performances.

Their performances have been a standout attraction at previous editions of the festival, drawing large crowds to the riverfront and creating unforgettable moments on the water.

5. Rockshore Sounds

No trip to the festival would be complete without taking time to enjoy the buzzing atmosphere of the Festival Village and listening to a fantastic array of acclaimed local and national musicians and performers.

Perched perfectly between two watering holes, the Rockshore Stage is where the party’s at.

A packed programme of music includes performances from Altan, George Houston, We Love Sax, John Deery & The Heads, and Reevah.

6. Derry – Londonderry North Atlantic (DNA) Museum Activities

Through hands‑on activities and lively encounters with characters from the past, discover how our city and district has been shaped by the landscape and the people who have called it home.

Using our collections and archives, maps, and stories, learn about surprising connections as we bring history to life, showing how places, journeys and relationships have shaped who we are today. Additionally, discover too what life was like for the many women who worked in our shirt factories.

7. Vintage Funfair with the Amelia Earhart Wheel

Step back to the charm of old seaside promenades with a vintage funfair experience along the banks of the River Foyle. Enjoy classic attractions, grab an ice cream, and soak up the atmosphere of a perfect traditional seaside escape.

Take a spin on the Amelia Earhart Wheel and enjoy stunning views across the river and festival grounds.

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8. Fireworks & Dusk Chorus, Sunday 28th Jun 10:25pm – 11:00pm

The festival will come to a spectacular close with a synchronised fireworks display on the river around 11pm on Sunday night. An enchanting Dusk Chorus will be delivered by NI Rock Choir who will sing a moving and uplifting ensemble of songs inspired by the occasion. The performance will begin at approximately 10.25pm in The Dock, alongside Tall Ship, The Phoenix and Spanish replica vessel The Galleon Andalucia, setting the scene that will close four days of maritime magic.

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DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza (AP) — An Israeli strike early Saturday killed at least two children in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian health officials said.

Despite an October ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas, the enclave has seen near-daily Israeli attacks that have killed over 1,007 Palestinians, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

Saturday’s strike hit an apartment in Gaza City around 2 a.m local time, according to the ministry, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue teams work on recovering more bodies. There was no immediate information on the number of the wounded.

At the site of the attack, an Associated Press reporter saw scattered rubble and chunks of concrete stained with blood.

The bodies of the two sisters, 4-year-old Zina and 14-year-old Lana, were sent to Shifa Hospital’s morgue, where they lay shrouded in white hospital bags, surrounded by family members.

“I was sitting at home. The rocket fell on us without a warning,” said their cousin, Mohammad Safadi, who had a forehead wound.

He said both he and his wife were wounded in the attack.

“This ceasefire the occupation and the negotiation team speak of … is this really a ceasefire? We are civilians. I never held a weapon,” Safadi added.

The Israeli military didn’t immediately issue a statement, but said it was looking into the incident. Israel says it is targeting Hamas and other militants who pose a threat.

Five Israeli soldiers have been killed since the truce.

The war erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel’s retaliatory military offensive in the Gaza Strip has since killed 73,018 Palestinians, including those slain since the ceasefire, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Saturday.

The health ministry, part of the Hamas-led government, is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records that are generally considered reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants but says women and children make up around half of all fatalities.

You sit down to start a task you care about. Nothing happens. You open your phone instead. Minutes turn into hours. You feel restless, flat, or oddly exhausted, even though you haven’t done much at all.

For many neurodivergent people, this cycle is painfully familiar. It’s often described as a motivation problem or a focus issue. But for those who are ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or autistic and ADHD (AuDHD), these experiences are closely linked to how dopamine – a vital brain chemical involved in motivation and reward – is regulated.

Due to this experience, some neurodivergent people have started to turn to a simple tool: the “dopamine menu”. Popularised in 2020 by Jessica McCabe, a YouTuber and ADHD advocate, a dopamine menu is a personalised list of activities that can help provide small, regular boosts of motivation and pleasure throughout the day.

For people who find themselves stuck or overwhelmed, it offers a structured way to access activities that feel rewarding or regulating. But to understand why this approach can be helpful, it is important to understand what dopamine is and how it works.

Dopamine is often referred to as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, but this is an oversimplification. While it does play a role in pleasure, dopamine is also closely linked to motivation, anticipation and the ability to initiate and sustain tasks.

It is produced in three areas of the brain: the hypothalamus, substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area. Outside the brain, it is also released from the adrenal glands, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.

Dopamine is involved in multiple cognitive processes including learning, attention, mood regulation, focus, memory and reward. It also plays a role in pain perception, sleep and movement.

Dopamine is released in response to certain activities such as spending money, eating, drinking and sex. This dopamine “burst” reinforces that we like this activity and motivates us to do it again. Not all dopamine increases are equal. Some activities provide short, intense bursts, while others lead to more gradual and sustained changes.

Why this matters for neurodivergent people

Some neurodivergent people have a different relationship to dopamine than neurotypical people. The most discussed neurotype when it comes to dopamine is ADHD.

Research suggests that people with ADHD typically have a lower baseline level of dopamine, and may process it differently. This can lead to a greater drive to seek stimulation.

People with ADHD are also more likely to develop addictions, such as to substances, video games, gambling or the internet, and are at higher risk of relapse. This demonstrates the importance of appropriate, tailored support, rather than framing such behaviour as purely a matter of choice.

Regardless of neurotype, many people find themselves turning to quick, easily accessible sources of dopamine, such as scrolling on a phone. While these can provide short-term relief, they are often not satisfying in the longer term and may leave people feeling more depleted.

Designing your own sources of reward

This is where dopamine menus can be helpful. Rather than relying on a narrow set of high-intensity activities, a dopamine menu provides a wider range of options that can support more consistent regulation throughout the day.

In her 2020 video, Jessica McCabe describes dopamine menus in sections, although they can be adapted to suit individual needs.

“Appetisers” are small, quick activities such as watering plants or making a coffee. “Meals” are more substantial activities that take longer, such as going for a walk, cooking or playing a board game. “Sides” are additions that make less enjoyable tasks more appealing, such as adding music or a podcast. “Desserts” are enjoyable activities best used in moderation, such as scrolling on social media or watching television. While “specials” are less frequent, more novel experiences, such as attending an event, eating out or going on a trip.

The process of creating a dopamine menu starts with identifying activities you enjoy and considering how they might fit into your daily routine. Making these activities more accessible – for example, leaving a yoga mat out or preparing materials in advance – can reduce the effort required to get started. It can also be helpful to add small barriers to activities you are trying to reduce.

What’s important is that dopamine menus are not to-do lists. They are optional, flexible and designed to reduce pressure rather than create it. By enabling us to decide in advance what feels supportive or enjoyable, they can reduce the cognitive load of choosing what to do in moments of low motivation.

So, rather than fixing a lack of motivation, dopamine menus offer a way of working with the brain’s natural rhythms, and creating space for small moments of energy, interest and ease throughout the day.

Signs have gone up at the supermarket in the Great Park development in Newcastle confirming the fishmonger and butcher stands will reopen this month.

They confirm “fresh cuts are back on the block” with “skilled butchers” returning to the store on Monday (June 22).

A week later on Monday, June 29, the fish counter will reopen, with signage reading: “Dive into fresh fish done right, with skilled fishmongers preparing your fish just how you like it.”

The butcher counter will reopen on June 22. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The retailer closed both stands at its Great Park town centre shop in April last year.

Great Park Morrisons store. (Image: PR)

It came after the chain confirmed last March that 52 cafes, all of its 18 market kitchens, 17 Morrisons Daily convenience stores, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters and four pharmacies would close with 365 staff facing redundancy.

At the time Rami Baitieh, Morrisons’ chief executive, said the changes were a “necessary part of our plans to renew and reinvigorate” the brand as some areas were “simply uneconomic”.

The Great Park store’s café, which also closed last year, is not reopening.

The fish counter will reopen on June 29. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The 20,000sq ft supermarket only opened in March 2023, after residents of the huge estate spent years campaigning for one.

Earlier this month Morrisons named four former McColl’s stores – now branded as Morrisons Daily – on a ‘hit list’ of seven shops earmarked to close in the coming months.

Featured on the list are stores on Queen Street in Redcar, on Zetland Road in Loftus, on Esk Close in Guisborough, and on Stokesley High Street. 

The retailer said its convenience stores are subject to continuous review, but the stores to be closed have been loss-making, despite remedial action.

A statement continued: “This situation has been exacerbated in more recent years by significant cost increases resulting from Government policy choices, which have made returning these stores to profitability even more difficult.”

Italian news agency Ansa reported that the Italian ambassador to the Dominican Republic met the deceased woman’s husband at the hospital. The embassy is helping around 285 Italian tourists who were staying at the resort or nearby, issuing emergency passports to those whose travel documents were destroyed in the fire and arranging flights home.

Festival-goers are can look forward to clear skies on day two of Scotland’s biggest music festival

Scots heading to TRNSMT on Saturday, June 20, will enjoy better conditions than its rainy day one kick off . While clouds aren’t going away just yet, sunny spells are in the majority for Glasgow.

Music revellers gathered in a rather wet Glasgow Green on Friday, June 19, to enjoy the first day of TRNSMT music festival. Despite getting off to a drenching start, conditions cleared for revellers to enjoy Richard Ashcroft’s closing set followed by a stint in the fan zone to watch Scotland’s World Cup defeat.

Met Office weather maps for today show temperatures starting off strong, reaching a balmy 15C by noon. As the day progresses, this number is to rise gradually before peaking at 18C by 2pm. The mercury will gradually drop into the evening but is to remain in the mid teens.

The Met Office said in its Strathclyde forecast for Saturday: “This morning will be dry although one or two showers possible across Argyll. Then this afternoon will be dry with some bright or sunny intervals, Maximum temperature 18C.”

For tonight, the national forecaster adds: “This evening will be dry with some late sunshine. Then the rest of the night will remain dry with some lengthy clear periods. Light winds. Minimum temperature 10C.”

Music fans with Sunday tickets are to be the luckiest weather wise, with temperatures climbing further. “All parts will have a dry day with some sunny spells, some cloud bubbling up by afternoon. Warm. Maximum temperature 21C,” the Met Office added.

This warming weather is due to a band of pressure that has been gradually rising northwards which will allow Southern Scotland to enjoy warmer weather. However the same can’t be said for Northern Scotland, where scattered showers can be expected.

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TRNSMT’s Saturday line-up will see acts like The Fratellis, English Teacher and The Last Dinner Party take to the main stage throughout the day, with Kasabian closing as the final headline act.

Loyle Carner is the main headliner for the notable King Tut’s stage and a number of new acts will light up the BBC Introducing Stage.

It comes after footage was shared of a large crowd of revellers caught in a brawl at the festival site on Friday evening. The video showed two teens punch each other by the Big Wheel before a steward eventually got involved and broke up the scrap.

Fans heading along today will want to check out TRNSMT’s bar prices to get prepared. The festival also imposes strict rules for ID and for what can and cannot be brought into the site.

Lilla was rushed to A&E after being struck by the e-bike rider.

Nicky Campbell’s daughter was rushed to hospital after being struck by an e-bike.

The BBC broadcaster said Lilla, 26, was with her sisters in the Peckham area of London when the incident unfolded on Friday night.

Taking to Instagram, he said: “‘It’s been a long and emotional night.

“My daughter Lilla was hit by an e-bike hit-and-run last night in Peckham – hopefully there is CCTV.’

He said he hoped CCTV footage would be able to track the rider down, who allegedly “scarpered” once the ambulance arrived.

Lilla was taken to A&E at King’s College Hospital for treatment.

He continued: “She is badly injured but now at home.

“It could have been so much worse. We are incredibly lucky.”

Campbell went on to thank emergency services.

“The police were magnificent,” he said. He went on to add that the hospital staff were ‘wonderful’, and called them ‘superb’.

Police in London and across the border in Scotland have launched a clampdown on illegal e-bikes activity and modified bikes.

Commander Neerav Patel, who leads the Met’s operations against illegal e-bikes, said: ‘Officers will be using an intelligence-led approach to precisely target hotspots, make arrests, and clear thousands of illegal vehicles from our streets.’

‘We are not starting from scratch,’ adding the force has ‘already seized over 2,500 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters in the last year’.

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The extreme weather is expected to be driven by the global El Niño climate pattern.

Chris McIlroy, a lawn specialist at The Grass People, said: “We won’t know the true impact of El Nino this summer until it’s upon us.

“But after an unseasonably warm spring, it’s sensible to predict a hot summer is to follow.

“Taking steps to prepare your garden now will go a long way in ensuring it stays vibrant throughout the summer.”

Mr McIlroy recommends aerating lawns to help them withstand the heat.

He said: “You don’t necessarily need fancy equipment to aerate your lawn, using a pitch fork will suffice.

“It can prevent the lawn becoming compacted, so that water can seep through instead of just sitting on top.”

Feeding the lawn before the hottest months can also promote healthy growth, but over-fertilising can be damaging.

Mr McIlroy said: “Too much fertiliser can do more harm than good, particularly as temperatures rise.

“Opt for balanced or potassium-rich feeds rather than high-nitrogen products on your lawn, which can encourage vulnerable growth.

“Feeding plants can also help build their resilience, too.”

He also advises raising the mower blade as summer approaches.

Mr McIlroy said: “Letting your grass grow a little longer before a heatwave gives it a head start.

“Longer grass shades the soil, helping it retain moisture when it matters most.

“Set your mower blades to a higher setting so you’re not cutting too much off.”

Adopting a smart watering routine is also key to lawn survival during hot spells.

Mr McIlroy said: “Training yourself to water at the right time before a heatwave arrives means it becomes second nature when you really need it.

“Avoid the middle of the day, when water is likely to evaporate before it can soak through to the grass roots.

“Establish a habit of watering first thing in the morning.”

He also recommends installing a water butt.

Mr McIlroy said: “Also, install a water butt so any rainfall is captured and can be used as a resource if hosepipe bans come into force.”

Do you enjoy the heat? Let us know in the comments

Industry experts are warning that food prices may climb, despite the UK’s current rate of inflation holding steady.

While inflation has not increased in recent months, the Bank of England says global events could soon put pressure on supermarket bills.

Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “While the war in the Middle East pushes prices up globally, we have got the right economic plan and inflation has held steady.”

However, Karen Betts, chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), said the impact of Middle East disruptions on food prices has not yet filtered through.

Ms Betts told The Sun: “It’s good to see an easing of food inflation in May, but consumer prices still don’t reflect the inflation caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

“It generally takes several months for the increased costs paid by farmers, processors and manufacturers to filter into raised prices at the tills… and we expect food inflation to pick up this year and into next.”

Economists had forecast that inflation would rise to three per cent in May, making the latest figures a relief for many households.

Jim Mellon, chief executive of Agronomics, said: “Global conflicts, along with climate change, are causing food shortages, supply chain issues and price spikes in the UK and beyond.”

George Philips, commercial director at Wains, the UK’s largest World Food distributor and wholesaler, said items at risk of price rises include bottled water, cooking oil, washing up liquid, tea, coffee, rice, sugar, meat, milk, bread, pasta, and cereal.

Retail analysts at Omnisend noted that rising oil and gas prices are making the transport of goods more expensive.

Marty Bauer, a retail analyst, said: “That extra cost rarely disappears, and most of Britain’s biggest retailers will likely do anything to avoid it impacting their margins, so unfortunately, it tends to be passed down the chain, while making sure to avoid deterring consumers entirely.”

The ONS said that food inflation is slow compared to other areas of consumer spending.

Have you noticed a rise in prices? Let us know in the comments

Two roadside bombs in restive northwestern Pakistan killed at least seven people on Saturday, authorities said.

The first targeted a vehicle, while the second went off as rescuers responded to the blast in Bannu, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, senior police official Yasir Afridi said, adding both were controlled remotely.

Mr Afridi said five people were killed in the first blast and two in the second. Three people were also wounded, he said.

A search operation to find those responsible is underway.

“A private pick-up truck carrying passengers was targeted with a remote-controlled IED,” said Mr Afridi, using a common acronym for a homemade bomb.

“The injured were being transported to hospital in a car for emergency treatment when a second IED exploded,” he said, adding that three people were wounded.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall on the Pakistani Taliban, who have been blamed for similar attacks in the past.

President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the bombings. In a statement, he conveyed condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of the wounded.

Without naming any group, Mr Zardari issued a warning to “internal and external handlers of terrorism” who provide safe havens, logistical support and financial assistance to militant networks.

Pakistan has experienced a surge in militant violence in recent years, much of it claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. The group is separate from, but allied with, Afghanistan’s Taliban, who seized power in Kabul in 2021.

Pakistani officials say many TTP leaders and fighters have found sanctuary across the border in Afghanistan, although the Taliban government in Kabul has repeatedly denied these accusations.

Relations between the two neighbours have deteriorated sharply in recent months, with tensions spilling over into military confrontations, including Pakistani air strikes inside Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, Pakistan said air strikes near the frontier killed at least 26 Taliban fighters. Afghan authorities, however, said the attacks left 12 civilians dead.

The main border crossings have remained largely shut since violence intensified in October, hampering trade and restricting the movement of people and goods between the two countries.