2nd International Early Watercraft Congress (EWA-2)
Early Watercraft: Technologies and Use in Maritime Landscapes
Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland. 6-8 November, 2026
EWA-2 is a three-day event featuring new research, alternative perspectives, and unique approaches to the study and appreciation of early watercraft, including dugouts/logboats, rafts, skin-on-frame boats, basket boats, bundle boats, and the earliest plank-built boats. Following the theme of this year’s conference, Early Watercraft: Technologies and Use in Maritime Landscapes, presentations are scheduled on a wide range of topics:
- Watercraft in the maritime landscape
- Interpretations of use, significance, and meaning
- Archaeological finds
- Historical research
- Ethnographic research
- Research methodologies
- Public engagement
- Experiment and replication
- Watercraft technology
Additional activities are scheduled in the evenings and on the days before and after formal sessions (November 5 and 9).
Congress registration
Congress Schedule and Speakers
Read more about the schedule and speakers on our Congress Schedule and Speakers page.
Congress Venue
Visit Derry
Welcome to Derry~Londonderry. Built on history, shaped by its people and powered by stories that echo far beyond its ancient walls, Derry~Londonderry is a place you don’t just see, you feel.
This isn’t about ticking off landmarks. It’s about moments. Laughter spilling from a crowded pub. Live music drifting along cobbled streets. Unexpected conversations that turn into unforgettable memories.
Come for the stories. Stay for the people. Leave knowing you’ve had not just a good time, but a Legenderry one.
Currency
£ UK Sterling – how to exchenge currency
Travel
Derry / Londonderry is accessible by public transport. The international airports are Dublin, Belfast International Airport and to a limited extent, Belfast City Airport. There are good bus connections between Dublin and Belfast International Airports. Although Derry is accessible by train, the bus service is much better connected with frequency of service. The train station is on the edge of the city and is about a 15 minute walk to Derry city centre.
The City of Derry Airport has a bus connection, but with less frequency. It has a taxi service. However, this is a regional airport and connects to airports in the UK. It also serves a few other international airports, but these may be in the summer season only.
International delegates should consider Belfast International Airport or Dublin Airport for frequency of flights and direct bus connections.
From City of Derry Airport
Train connection: None.
Bus connection: No. 234 bus to Foyle Street Bus Station (travel time 25 minutes. Frequency every 4 hours). €26.45 return fare.
Taxi connection: 20 minutes (from €29 – €35).
From Belfast International Airport
Bus connection: Aircoach No. 705x from Coach Park Bay No. 3. 1 hour 25 minutes to Foyleside. Frequency every 15 minutes. Between €20 one way and €30 return.
Train connection: 2 hours 2 minutes. Frequency every 2 hours. Between €15 one way. Return fares only available for the same day of travel.
From Belfast City Airport (George Best Belfast City Airport)
Public transport from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Derry~Londonderry typically costs between €17.25 and €28.75 for a one-way journey, combining a short airport transfer to the city centre with a direct coach or train. The most direct, budget-friendly option is taking the Translink Airport Express 600 bus to the city centre, then the 212 Goldline coach to Derry (€17 one way).
Bus/Coach (Best Value): Translink 212 Goldline from Belfast city centre (Europa Buscentre) to Derry costs approximately €17.
Airport Transfer: The Airport Express 600 service runs every 20 minutes from the airport to Belfast city centre.
Bus connection: Aircoach 705x. From Belfast Grand central Station. Frequency every 15 minutes. One way €21. Return approximately €32.
Train: connection: Regular train services from Belfast Lanyon Place to Derry costs €17.25–€26. Arrives to Derry Train Station, after which there is a 16 minutes walk to Derry City, or with regular bus links by Foyle Metro (5 minutes) – no fare price available. Taxi services also available from approximately €9.
From Dublin Airport
Bus connection: Translink No. X4. Between 3 hours 40 minutes (direct service) and 5 hours 10 minutes with one change). No frequency of service available. Between approximately €20 and €28 one way.
Bus connection: Aircoach No. 705X. Frequency approximately every 2 hours. €24 one way, approximately €36 return.
Accomodation
The Early Watercraft Association has arranged a list of hotels that are providing reduced rates for delegates. These are listed in the table below, including Booking Code. It may be necessary to directly phone the hotel (or use any email address provided) to avail of these rates. The rates are provided in £ (UK). The Booking Code is Early Watercraft Association.
Alternatively there are other options available such as guest houses or B&Bs that provide more price-friendly options. These can be found on the standard accommodation websites: https://ie.hotels.com/, https://www.booking.com/, https://www.trivago.ie, https://www.lastminute.ie/, or https://discovernorthernireland.com/accommodation/
| EWA Hotel Rooms – 5 – 8 Nov 2026 | ||||||||||
| Hotel | Single Room Per Night | Double Room Per Night per person sharing | Single Room Per Night | Double Room Per Night per person sharing | Single Room Per Night | Double Room Per Night per person sharing | Single Room Per Night | Double Room Per Night per person sharing | EWA Registration / Booking Code | Website |
| Thur 5th | Thur 5th | Fri 6th | Fri 6th | Sat 7th | Sat 7th | Sun 8th | Sun 8th | |||
| Belfray Country Inn | £90.00 | £45.00 | £120.00 | £55.00 | £120.00 | £55.00 | £95.00 | £90.00 | Phone +2871 301480 Quote Watercraft 26 | https://belfrayhotelderry.com |
| Bishop’s Gate Hotel | £229.00 | £229.00 | £119.50 | £229.00 | £119.50 | £199.00 | £104.50 | Quote Early Watercraft Association | https://www.bishopsgatehotelderry.com | |
| City Hotel | £139.00 | £74.50 | £160.00 | £84.00 | £160.00 | £84.00 | £139.00 | £74.50 | EWA Registration via https://reservations.travelclick.com/17151?RatePlanId=11074904 or [email protected] | https://www.cityhotelderry.com |
| Da Vincis Hotel | £140.00 | £77.50 | £140.00 | £77.50 | £140.00 | £77.50 | £130.00 | £72.50 | Email [email protected] and cite Early Watercraft Association | https://www.davincishotel.com |
| Everglades Hotel | £150.00 | £85.00 | £150.00 | £85.00 | £150.00 | £85.00 | £100.00 | £60.00 | Email [email protected] & Quote Early Watercraft Association | https://www.evergladeshotelderry.com |
| Ebrington Hotel | £195.00 | £105.00 | £195.00 | £105.00 | £195.00 | £105.00 | £165.00 | £90.00 | Quote Early Watercraft Association | https://theebringtonhotel.com |
| Holiday Inn Express | £105.00 | £135.00 | £149.00 | £105.00 | Quote Early Watercraft Association | https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/gb/en/derry/ldydl/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-EX-_-GB-_-LDYDL | ||||
| Maldron Hotel | £110.00 | £61.00 | £140.00 | £76.00 | £175.00 | £93.50 | £100.00 | £56.00 | Phone +4428 7137 1000 or email Amanda Doherty at [email protected] & Quote Early Watercraft Association | https://www.maldronhotels.com/derry/?utm_source=GMBlisting&utm_medium=organic |
| Waterfoot Hotel | £130.00 | £130.00 | £130.00 | £100.00 | Phone Megan Lockhart +442871345500 or Email [email protected] & Quote Early Watercraft Association | https://www.waterfoothotel.com | ||||
| White Horse Hotel | £140.00 | £75.00 | £160.00 | £85.00 | £160.00 | £85.00 | £140.00 | £75.00 | Phone +2871860606 or Email [email protected] & Quote Early Watercraft Association | https://www.whitehorsehotel.biz |
Weather
Current weather information is available on this website.
Queries about the congress
For any further questions about the congress, you can reach us at [email protected].