Galway Oyster Festival

The Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival is the most internationally recognised food festival in Ireland and the 58^th edition will place Galway firmly in the spotlight in the UK.

A TV crew are currently finalising the details for eight 30 minute episodes which will show the best of Irish living and the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival will be one of their main focuses. The series is currently due to be televised on Monday evenings at 8pm, a slot which usually attracts approximately 4 million viewers. For confidentiality reasons, the station cannot be named but a number of Galway characters, oyster farmers and restaurateurs will be part of this exciting project.

Following the return of the Festival Marquee to the streets of Galway, the Oyster & Seafood Festival is expanding year on year with a wide range of city based events scheduled for 2012.

During 28^th – 30^th September,  there will be a host of tantalising events to whet your appetite including; a Seafood Trail with Galway’s best restaurants, Wine Geese Tasting events, the National Oyster Opening Championship,  Food village at The Festival Marquee, ‘Tales by the Sea’ Heritage Storytelling, Perfect Pint Pouring, the World Oyster Opening Championship, Dress to Impress competition, Oyster Hotspots in city bars & restaurants, an inaugural  Gala Mardi Gras event through the streets of Galway, taking in some of the city’s most historical venues and the Festival Finale with family activities, kids fancy dress, live music, cooking demonstrations, sailing race in Galway Bay, 'Hot Oyster Awards' cooking challenge and West Coast Big Band jive & jazz.

City Businesses are encouraged to keep their marine themed window decorations for the week leading into the festival so Galway will once again shine for international audiences. Friends of the Festival will have their windows decorated by local Galway Artists in order to create an Oysters, Seafood and Marine Heritage themed Art Trail through the city.

For details of events, heritage talks or further information on becoming a Friend of The Festival, please contact 091 575875 or log on to www.galwayoysterfestival.com