The Irish finals will be held indoors, at the Kings Head, on Friday, September 26, at 8pm, while the annual Galway Docklands Festival will run in conjunction with the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival until Sunday, September 28.
MC for the weekend competitions is Patrick Mc Murray, former world oyster shucking champion, author, and owner of the Starfish Oyster Bed and Grill in Toronto.
Over 20 restaurants and bars are taking part in Oyster Trail across Galway city and county, where the native shellfish and local music will be celebrated.
An evening celebration for oyster shucking champions will be held at Lena’s rooftop restaurant, at the Radisson Red, on Saturday, September 27.
Most events are free. See www.GalwayOysterFestival.com for full listings.
Festival Highlights
Friday, 26 September
Taste The Atlantic Oyster Farm Tours – guided visits to Galway Bay oyster farms (pre-booked )
Irish Oyster Opening Championship – 8:00 PM at The King’s Head
Saturday, 27 September
Parade of Flags – 2:15 PM, from Eyre Square to Cross Street Lower, celebrating competitors from 15 nations
World Oyster Opening Championship – 3:00 PM, Cross Street Lower, with outdoor stage, live commentary, and local food & drink stalls
Docklands Maritime Afternoon – traditional Galway Hooker sailing and Galway Bay Boat Tours
Evening: Explore Galway’s Oyster Trail — Latin Quarter, West End, Woodquay, Eyre Square, Galway Saturday Market, and Tiny Traders Village — with live music, food, and entertainment until late
Sunday, 28 September – The Docklands Festival (11am–4pm )
Location - H91 NFH6 A free, family-friendly, maritime celebration featuring:
Seafood & oyster bar with Galway Bay Seafoods
Storytelling & traditional maritime craft demos
Galway Hooker rigging demonstrations
Food trucks, tastings and family-friendly activities
Galway Bay Boat Tours & RNLI Open Day
Children’s crafts, face painting, emergency services displays
Oyster Trail
Pubs, restaurants, and cafés across Galway will feature signature oyster dishes, pairings, shucking stations, guest oyster farmers, and live music — encouraging visitors to explore the city and join the celebration.
Kelly Oysters Pop-Up Oyster Bars:
Saturday, Sept 27 – Lower Cross Street, 12:00–5:00 PM
Sunday, Sept 28 – Galway Bay Seafoods, 11:00–4:00 PM
Serving both our wild native oysters — the heart of the festival since its founding — and our farmed Gigas oysters, freshly shucked for you.
Taste the Atlantic – Oyster Farm Tours
As part of this year’s programme, festival-goers can experience Taste the Atlantic Oyster Tours, offering unique insights into Ireland’s oyster culture:
Kelly Oyster Tasting Experience – A guided walk on a working oyster farm on Galway Bay. Learn the craft, taste fresh oysters by the shore, and stop at Moran’s Oyster Cottage for lunch. (€60 pp, shuttle from Galway City. Lunch not included. )
DK Connemara Oysters – Sea to Shuck Experience – Scenic drive to Ballinakill Bay, oyster farm tour and tasting, followed by lunch at Kylemore Abbey. (€35 pp tour; lunch payable separately. )
Flaggy Shore Oyster Experience – An interactive 90-minute journey in the Burren, with shucking demos, tastings, and wine pairings, followed by a stop at Linnane’s Lobster Bar. (€70 pp, shuttle from Galway City. Lunch not included. )
