Internationally recognised as one of the leading food festivals in Ireland, the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival attracts over 10,000 visitors each September with an expected €5 million economic injection generated from the 3 day festival. And with the Irish seafood sector currently worth in the region of €700 million annually and employing approx 11,000 people, celebrations like the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival are vital in sustaining the industry and growing the sector within Ireland and lucrative foreign markets.
2011 marks the return of the festival to its spiritual home as Hotel Meyrick (previously the Great Southern Hotel) takes over the mantle of the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival and looks forward to continuing the festival’s excellent reputation for showcasing the best of Irish seafood & shellfish in tandem with an engaging entertainment programme.
Throughout the festival, a host of tantalising events to whet your appetite will take place, including..
• Galway’s first ever Seafood Dine-around, in a selection of the city’s finest seafood restaurants at 6pm on Friday 23rd September
• National Oyster Opening Championship at the festival marquee at 7pm on Friday, 23rd September to kick-start the weekend’s celebrations. Attendees will be treated to Galway Bay seafood chowder and a gourmet seafood plate. This event is also supporting the RNLI
• Oyster Festival Parade at 11.30 am on Saturday 24th September from Hotel Meyrick through the streets of Galway with a host of fun, free events for all the family
• World Oyster Opening Championship & Seafood Lunch at the festival marquee from 12pm-5pm on Saturday 24th September with the famous native Galway oysters, complemented with Bollinger Champagne and Guinness
• Oyster Festival Gala Ball, Glamorous Black tie event at 8pm in Hotel Meyrick, renowned each year as the festival highlight
• Oyster Festival Finale with family activities, kids fancy dress, live music, cooking demonstrations, Irish coffee making competition and jive & jazz marking the finale of the 57th Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival from 12pm ‘til late at the festival marquee
“Final preparations for the festival are now underway with many of the signature events over the past 57 years still an integral part of festivities including the Oyster Opening Championships, Festival Parade, Oyster Pearl Competition and black tie Gala Ball. Original elements have also been added to this year’s programme such as the seafood focus, along with Galway’s first seafood dine around and of course the return of the festival marquee at the Galway Harbour” states Cian O’Broin, General Manager of Hotel Meyrick.
Experience the unique ambience of the city of the Tribes, savour the wonderful seafood delights of the West and be part of one of the most celebrated festivals in the world from the 23rd – 25th September 2011! Tickets for all events at the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival are available on www.galwayoysterfestival.com. Alternatively, contact the festival team on info@galwayoysterfest.com or call (091) 575875 for further details.
