Galway is a city which is located on the western coast of Ireland in the province of Connacht. This small city which is one of the fastest growing cities in Ireland is also the site of a famous annual festival –The Galway International Oyster Festival which attracts oyster lovers from all over the world to Galway each September. In fact the prestigious Times of London newspaper in its Sunday edition, has described the Galway International Oyster Festival as one of the twelve greatest shows on earth. The 54th International Oyster Festival will be held from Thursday the 25th of September to Sunday the 28th of September in the heart of Galway City.
Oysters are gifts from the sea which are reputed to be powerful aphrodisiacs as well, so much so that many poets and authors over the years have been so inspired by this delicacy that they have celebrated its unique charms in their myriad works. The oysters that are fêted at the world renowned Galway International Oyster Festival are the native Ostrea edulis which are commonly known as the European Flat Oyster. The oysters consumed at this famous festival are supplied by Kelly Oysters who are world renowned purveyors of oysters. Kelly Oysters source these plump delicacies from oyster fisheries which are located on the western coast of Ireland. These oysters are usually available during the Oyster season that stretches from September to April.
Apart from being aphrodisiacs oysters are much sought after for their rich mineral properties as well as they are a well balanced food which have an ideal combination of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids and are an excellent source of vitamins like A, B1, B2, B3, C and D.
Tickets and Accommodation
The festival schedule includes many festivities and tickets for the various festival events can be purchased directly online from the website of the festival. Several Galway hotels are also getting ready to accommodate the large influx of visitors who will be coming to Galway especially for the festival. Most Galway hotels like the Galway Harbor Hotel, The Lady Gregory Hotel and the charming Shannon Oaks Hotel Country Club are currently offering attractive rates for festival goers.
The History of the Festival
The Galway Oyster Festival which is one of the world’s oldest and longest running festivals originated in 1953 when Brian Collins, who was then the manager of the Great Southern Hotel decided to institute a Oyster Festival in order to attract crowds to the hotel in the traditionally low season month of September. This led to the establishment of the Galway Oyster festival in 1954 which was sponsored by Ireland’s native brewery, Guinness, and other local businesses. This inaugural Oyster Banquet attracted thirty four guests and it has now evolved into the celebrated Galway International Oyster Festival.
Highlights of the Festival
Thursday 25th September
Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship - Irish Qualifiers
The opening or the shucking of oysters (as the Americans call it) is an art which requires a skill and in order to demonstrate this skill, the festival stages the annual Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship which attracts competitors from all over the world. These competitors qualify for a chance to take part in this championship through local championships held in their own countries. The Irish qualifying competition will take place in the Kings Head on Thursday 25th September which will be followed by the grand final which will take place in the Oyster Marquee on Saturday 27th September.
Friday 26th -The Mardi Gras Party
This party promises to be one of the most exciting events of the festival and will feature much entertainment and dancing along with many native culinary delights like oysters smoked salmon on homemade brown bread, steaming seafood chowder and decadent deserts which will all be served in hot and cold buffets accompanied by the drink of choice, the local favorite Guinness and chilled white wines. The event will be presided over by the Oyster Pearl and the Mayor of Galway and will be held at the Oyster Festival Marquee, which will be erected at Nimmo’s Pier for the event.
Saturday 27th Official Opening of the festival at Eyre Square
This free public event will kick off at noon at Eyre square and will feature crowd pleasing entertainment until the opening of the festival during which the Pearl will present the Mayor of Galway with the first oyster. This is a tradition which has been followed since the inception of the festival. This ceremony will be followed by a colorful parade which will be conducted through the streets of Galway until it reaches the Oyster Marquee where events like the Oyster Tasting, The Guinness World oyster Opening Championships and an Elegant Lady competition will then be conducted.
These events will be then followed by a grand party which will feature much music and dancing after the winner of the competition has been announced later that afternoon. The day will culminate with the Oyster Festival Gala Ball which will be held later that night at the Radisson SAS hotel and which promises to be another orgy of good foods and fine wines.
Sunday 28th September- Farewell Party
Festival attendees and local oyster enthusiasts will then bid farewell to the 54th Galway International Oyster festival at a grand party which will be held at Nimmo’s Pier and which will also feature live music and much dancing and merriment.
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This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 at 3:04 pm and is filed under Europe, Food. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Nice. Thanks.
Pak Tam