Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival

Welcome to the oldest oyster festival in the world and the most internationally recognised Irish festival after St Patrick’s Day. Deemed one of Europe’s longest-running food extravaganzas, the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival was launched in September 1954 by Brian Collins, the manager of the Great Southern Hotel (now called Hotel Meyrick).

That year just 34 guests attended the first Oyster Festival Banquet and feasted on several dozen oysters each. These days, the event is one of the biggest on Ireland’s social calendar, drawing thousands of visitors to sample the famous native Galway Oysters at the end of September each year. Now the festival sees more than 20 competitors, representing countries from all over the world flock to Galway to vie for the World Championship title.

Over the last 64 years, the Irish food festival has featured prominently in the media including Bon Appétit Magazine, BBC Good Food, Food & Wine magazine, Easy Food Magazine, Time Magazine, Travel & Leisure Magazine, Conde Nast, The New York Times, The Sunday Times, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Image Magazine, Fodors, The Lonely Planet Guide and The Rough Guide amongst many, many more.

It has been described by the Sunday Times as “one of the 12 greatest shows on earth” and was listed in the AA Travel Guide one of Europe’s Seven Best Festivals.

The Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival is held on the very last weekend in September to celebrate Galway’s rich annual oyster harvest (in season from September – April). It was originally organised in conjunction with Paddy Burke’s Bar in Clarenbridge but moved into the city centre of Galway in the 80’s.

Growing ever since, The Irish and World Oyster Opening or ‘shucking’ Championships are held during the festival, as well as top class entertainment, street parades, seafood trails, celebrated hospitality and the start of many new friendships.

Historically, guests have included director John Huston, actor Bob Hope, golfer Christy O’Connor JR, well known chefs such as Richard Corrigan, Clodagh McKenna and Martin Shanahan, Irish Rugby hero Brian O’Driscoll, current President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, current Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and many more.

Miss it at your ‘pearl’.