The ninth Connemara Mussel Festival will take place this May Bank Holiday weekend (May 2-4 ) in Tullycross,Renvyle.
The festival was established to promote the supremacy of the mussels of Killary Harbour, the festival has since developed to be a celebration of local people, food, and culture.
The festival will be officially opened on Friday at 7:30pm by food writers John and Sally McKenna of the McKenna Guide. Head Judge and this year’s festival ambassador is Connemara native, Mairin Ui Chomain. Mairin is former chair of the Irish Food Writers Guild.
This year’s festival will showcase the cullinary skills of some of Ireland’s finest chefs. The line up for this weekend’s festival includes:-Jacinta Dalton, a food Ambassador for Atlantic Way; a food education programme with GMIT led by Cait Noone;(Head of School of the College of Arts and Tourism ) and Keith Garden from O’Grady’s on the Pier.
There are plenty of activities to occupy your senses over the weekend. Begin Saturday morning with a walk on Tully mountain and witness unparalleled views of the magnificent Connemara land and seascape. The much anticipated parade of Les Fins Gousiers d’Anjou accompanied by the local award winning Curley School of Irish Dancing is sure to be a spectular sight.
The Festival Marquee at Paddy Coynes Pub will be the venue for all cooking demonstrations, with the festival office and theatre just to the front of that. Keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter for updates: facebook.com/connemaramusselfestival and twitter.com/connemaramussel
Bookings and enquiries can be made at the festival office, email [email protected] or call 087 6478303. Festival officials advise booking early for events in order to avoid disappointment.
