Natives. Flats. Native flats. Ostrea edulis – whatever you call our native oysters they are as much a part of the food fabric and history of Ireland as our butter. Fatty yet not fatty. Nutty without any nuts. A hint of citrus without any fruit. And that unequalled lingering sweet iodine flavour. There is nothing quite like the Irish native oyster.
Since 1954 the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival has celebrated a timeless, unchanging Irish tradition and treasure, and the ongoing pleasure given by those little heroes in a half shell and 2023 is no different.
The Native Oyster Season has begun and to celebrate that, restaurants throughout the city and county are giving the humble oyster and all of the fruits of the sea pride of place on their menus.
These authentic Irish delicacies are coveted everywhere from the bistros and brasseries of Paris, all the way to China. With brown bread, butter and a pint of stout or a glass of bone-dry white wine, this is as good an Irish food experience as there is.
Galway’s leading chefs all have a profound grá and respect for the Irish native oyster as a key ingredient on their menus.
The 2023 Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival Seafood Trail features 16 of the city’s leading seafood establishments from McDonagh’s world-renowned seafood restaurant on Quay St, to the city’s best known oyster houses Tigh Neachtain and Chef JP McMahon’s Aniar. The trail extends all the way out from the city to Blackrock Cottage and then joins up with the BIM “Taste the Atlantic” Bay Coast Seafood Trail along the Wild Atlantic Way.
The best news of all is that, packed as they are with zinc, vitamin A, protein and iron, oysters are great for your immune system. So, now more than ever, you have the perfect excuse to indulge yourself – our humble Native Oyster is just what the doctor ordered!
The Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival takes place from from September 22nd to 24th at the Festival Marquee in Nimmo’s Pier, Galway and is supported by Failte Ireland and BIM.
Click here for more information on the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival, including the Seafood Trail
The Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival – Seafood Trail Participants
Tigh Neachtain
Brasserie on the Corner
Rúibín
Éan
McDonaghs
Cava Bodega
McSwiggans
The Hardiman Hotel
Aniar
Sonny Molloy’s Irish Whiskey Bar
Blackrock Cottage
GEO at The G Hotel
Hooked
Marinas Restaurant at The Galmont Hotel
Martines Wine Bar
Pier 56 at The Galway Bay Hotel
