Oysters! Some of us like them, some of us really, really don’t. They are hailed as a delicacy, are said to be healthy and even increase one’s libido! So, you could say that it is the luck of us Irish to have the world’s finest oysters directly on our shores, right?! Right! And this is why we celebrate this fact (and the beginning of the native oyster season) every September with numerous Oyster Festivals all over the Emerald Island.

Numerous Oyster festivals have already taken place  this year. For example the Clarenbridge Oyster Festival , the Carlingford Oyster Festival or the Ballylongford Oyster Festival (to name only a few). But the best known oyster festival in Ireland and probably all over the world is yet to come – the Galway Oyster Fest!

This Galway festival will take place from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th of September 2012 and is the world’s longest running International Oyster Festival. Throughout the festival, a host of tantalising events to whet your appetite will take place, including; a seafood trail in some of Galway city’s finest restaurants, Taste of the Sea/Blas na Mara – showcasing Galway’s seafood heroes, the Bollinger National Oyster Opening Championship, The Food village at The Festival Marquee, the World Oyster Opening Championship with Guinness, a Mardi Gras event through the streets of Galway and the Festival Finale with family activities, kids fancy dress, live music, cooking demonstrations, ‘Hot Oyster Awards’ cooking challenge, Irish Coffee making and jive & jazz.You can find more detailed information on http://www.galwayoysterfest.com.

Looking for a place to stay in the area? We recommend Renvyle Thatched Cottages and Carraroe Holiday Homes!