Galway Oyster Festival

Over 10,000 visitors to Galway experienced the unique ambience of the 57^th Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival with the return of the festival marquee proving to be a resounding success! The main events of the weekend—the National Oyster Opening Championship with H+A Marketing+PR on Friday night and the Bollinger World Oyster Opening Championship on Saturday - were both sell-out events, with the 3 days of celebrations a shell of an occasion amongst locals and international visitors to Galway!

Michael Moran from Moran’s on the Weir won the coveted title of National Oyster Opening Champion and went on to represent Ireland in the Bollinger World Oyster Opening Championships. With 16 countries from across the globe entered, it was Xavier Caille from Belgium who was crowed the champion, impressing judges with his skill, speed and presentation. Ladies also turned out in style for the Bollinger World Oyster Opening Championships and Dr. Joanne Walsh from Foxford was selected as the Best Dressed Lady wearing a classic black jumpsuit complemented with a Philip Treacy headpiece, receiving a collection of Newbridge jewellery sponsored by Fallers Jewellers and a €500 voucher.

On Sunday afternoon, Martin Shanahan of ‘RTE’s Martin’s Mad About Fish’ entertained festival goers with a series of cookery demonstrations using the native oysters and local seafood! Restaurants from around the city hotly contested the Miele Most Original Hot Oyster Dish with Frazer Scott from the Malthouse Restaurant wowing the judges with his original oyster creation. It was Karina Malinovska from Fagan's Bar who passed muster with Roisin Sweeney of the Corrib Princess (the current Irish Coffee Making Champion) to clench the Tullamore Irish Coffee Olympics!

Plans are already underway for the 58^th year of the festival and thoughts for 2012 include building the links with local restaurants as well as an additional entertainment element to the programme of events over the 3 days. For further details on the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival visit www.galwayoysterfestival.com, email info@galwayoysterfest.com or call (091) 575875.