History of the Festival

It was the first week of September in 1953 and the worried manager of the Great Southern Hotel, Brian Collins, was looking at his near empty hotel. How could he extend the tourist season into September?

Later that day, while discussing menus with the head chef, it was suggested that oysters should be on the menu as they had just come into season. An idea came into Brian’s head –“why not celebrate the opening of the oyster season with a festival?” – “In September 1954 we will have an oyster festival!”

True to his word with help from local businessmen and Guinness, the first festival took place the following September with 34 guests attending the first Oyster Festival Banquet and from such humble beginnings grew what is now regarded as one of the most celebrated and longest running festivals in the world.

Some Golden Moments of the Last 50 Years

1954

The first ever festival takes place

1958

Over 300 guests attend the festival

1960

3000 oysters consumed over the weekend which was attended by famed film director John Huston

1968

The 1st world Oyster Opening Champion is local man John Cummins in a time of 3 mins 34.8 seconds

1971

1st UK winner of the oyster opening championship, Sam Scott

1975

21st Oyster Festival celebrations with Anita Leslie as Guest of Honour

1977

Pascal Spellman hosts his last festival show after 23 years. Irelands Willie Morans opens 30 oysters in 1 min 31 seconds - still a world record to this day

1982

40000 oysters consumed

1984

Festival moves into Galway City as part of the Quincentenial celebrations. The Friendship Band visit the city for first time

1985

Sir Anthony O'Reilly is Guest of Honour

1987

The AA Travel Guide lists the festival as one of Europe’s Seven Best Festivals on a par with the Munich Beer Festival

1991

John Hume Guest of Honour

1993

Bob Hope attends the festival as Guest of Honour and sings "Thanks for the memories" to an audience on Eyre Square

1994

Top British travel show "Wish You Were Here" preside over the festival. 10000 revellers attend over the weekend

2000

The Sunday Times (London) declare the Galway International Oyster Festival as one of the 12 greatest shows on earth

2004

The Festival, still sponsored by its original sponsors Guinness, celebrates its 50th birthday