Festival Schedule
Wednesday 22nd September
Guinness Irish Oyster Opening Championships
Venue: TBC
Time: 8pm
Thursday 23rd September
Guinness Arthur's Day 2010
Friday 24th September
The Oyster Festival 'Big Night Out'
Venue: Meyrick Hotel, Eyre Square
Time: 7:30pm
Dress Code - Smart Casual
Live music will kick start the party at our Guinness and Oyster reception followed by festival tapas and champagne. The gourmet experience continues as guests then sit down to enjoy a gourmet four course dinner accompanyed by fine wines in the opulent Dining Room of the Meyrick Hotel. Our selected Oyster Pearl, will be in attendance as will our Guest of Honor.The Mayor of Galway will welcome one and all and then the party starts.
The non-stop entertainment , featuring top class artists and cabaret acts, guarantees you’ll be finding your dancing feet before the night's end.
Saturday 25th September
Oyster Festival Parade & Official Opening Ceremony
Venue: Galway Harbour,Le Niamh
Time: Starts at 11.30am. Free public event
Fun & free for all the family, traditional Irish musicians and performers will keep the dock-side crowd entertained beside the Navy ship 'LE Niamh' until the opening ceremony begins. Our newly crowned Oyster Pearl will present the season's first oyster to Galway’s Mayor - a tradition since 1954.
After the ceremony, the Oyster Festival parade hits the streets of Galway featuring a colourful line-up of musical bands, vintage cars, oyster openers, our Oyster Pearl, Guest of Honour and visiting dignitaries. The parade will journey through the streets of the Latin Quarter, Eyre Square and lastly to the Oyster Festival Center at the Radisson Blu Hotel.
Oyster Tasting & World Guinness Oytser Opening Championship
Venue - Radisson Blu Hotel
Time: 12. oopm - 5:30pm
12.00pm OYSTER TASTING
Enjoy the new season Galway Bay oysters accompanied by complimentary creamy chilled Guinness and crisp white wine.
A hearty seafood/ cold meat luncheon will be served to all guests.
1.00pm GUINNESS WORLD OYSTER OPENING CHAMPIONSHIP
The Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship features contestants from every continent competing for the world title and valuable prizes.
2.00pm BEST DRESSED LADY COMPETITION- prize worth €5,000 kindly sponsored by Fallers Jewellers Galway, est 1879.www.fallers.com
For all the ladies joining us, this years Best Dressed Lady competition is a great excuse to spoil yourself. The Galway International Oyster Festival has always been synonymous with grace and style and this year promises a dazzling display of fashion with a spectacular prize for the winning lady sponsored by Fallers Jewellers. www.fallers.com
3.00pm ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE GUINNESS WORLD OYSTER OPENING CHAMPION
After the winner of the Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship is announced, the party will get into full swing with an international flavoured entertainment line-up including Irish music, dance and the brilliant Blues Brothers.
6.00pm Latin Quarter Street Festival – Let the Party Continue!
Oyster Festival Gala Ball
Venue: Festival Centre, Radisson Blu Hotel
Start time: 8pm
Dress Code - Black Tie
A truly glamorous evening of exquisite food, drink and entertainment. The night starts with a Guinness, Champagne and Oyster reception followed by a gourmet five course banquet style dinner. Your enjoyment is guaranteed by internationally acclaimed entertainment and dancing until late. This year is no exception with the hot line up we have secured. Live Music Acts to be announced very soon!
Sunday 26th September
Oyster Festival Finale
Venue: The Latin Quarter
Start time: 1pm
Finish with style at the final event of an action-packed weekend. Live music, street performers, The Friendship Band and much, much more.
