Galway, perched on Ireland’s west coast right where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean, is the place to go for all your seafoodie needs. Especially your oyster needs as the world’s longest-running oyster festival is back once again.
The annual four-day event graces Galway’s shores on the last weekend of September each year. The most internationally recognised Irish festival, it draws flocks of seafood enthusiasts out west and with a line-up as jam-packed as this one, it’s not hard to see why.
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Activities include everything from live music and cooking demonstrations, to tasting events and the highly entertaining ‘Oyster Olympics’ (an oyster shucking championship).
Take part in an oyster-eating competition, compete for the ‘Hot Oyster Awards’ in the cooking competition or get gussied up to in the hopes of being crowned the Festival Pearl in the beauty contest.
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The Mardi Gras style Gala is another definite highlight. Complete with champagne, Guinness and an oyster reception, it sees the cobblestones come alive with colour and fun. The Seafood Trail is the latest addition to the festival and hits up some of Galway’s best restaurants for a sampling of their finest locally sourced seafood.
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Running since 1954, the festival has welcomed more than half a million visitors who have consumed over three million oysters amongst them.
Find this year’s programme here.
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