The Galway International Oyster Festival 2009 - Oyster tasting, Entertainment & Craic!

The Galway International Oyster Festival is one of the top food festivals in the country and takes place annually in Galway city in the month of September. This year the festival celebrate its 55th year so it's going to be bigger and better than ever!

If you love your oysters then head for Galway city between the 24th and 27th of September, as this is the month when oysters are in season! The Galway Oyster Festival is world renowned and there is nowhere better to enjoy these fine delicacies than at this food festival.

The Oyster Festival was first held in 1954 when only 34 guests attended! Now thousands of spectators and competitors travel from all corners of Ireland and the world to be part of the festivities.

The festival kick-starts on Thursday 24th with the Guinness Irish Open Championships which takes place at the Forster Court Hotel at 8pm. On Friday 25th there is a magnificent Mardi Gras Party at the Radisson SAS Hotel. The night features jazz music, a Guinness, Oyster and Champagne reception, a buffet and non stop entertainment.

The Official Opening of the festival takes place on Saturday 26th in Eyre Square at 12 noon. This is a free public event, which includes a ceremony, parade and lots of entertainment in the form of musicians, bands and performers. For some oyster tasting head for the Radisson Blu Hotel on Saturday afternoon. Here you can feast on some fantastic sea fare including delicious oysters of course! The Guinness World Oyster Championship and the elegant lady competition will also take place here. At 3.30pm the Guinness World Oyster Champion will be announced.

The elegant Oyster Festival Gala Ball takes place also on the Saturday evening. At this stylish event you'll be treated to a champagne and oyster reception followed by dinner and a great nights entertainment.

On Sunday 27th, a Farewell Party will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel so you can wrap up the weekend with some fantastic live music.

The action packed festival also brings with it some colourful family entertainment, street performers, face painters and lively street music to get you in the form!

The highlight of the festival will no doubt be the Guinness World Oysters Championships. Competitors from all over the world will vie for this title and what they have to do is open 30 oysters – the fastest time wins! The 30 oysters must also pass certain criteria eg oysters must be severed from the shell, presented upright and must have no grit or shell on its flesh. 

For more on the festival visit its official website The Galway International Oyster Festival

If you're thinking of heading to this festival, then check out our Galway hotels now and book early to avoid dissapointment.

Comments

We really appreciate your comments. We reserve the right to moderate posted comments and may paraphrase individual entries. Opinions expressed here are not the opinions held by PlacesToStay.com unless expressly stated.

There have been no comments made on this article. Why not be the first and add your own comment using the form below.

Leave a comment

Please complete the form below to submit a comment on this article. A valid email address is required to submit a comment though it will not be displayed on the site.