Green Dragon skipper Ian Walker will be the guest of honour at this year’s Galway International Oyster Festival.
Walker was associated with the “most successful event staged in Galway”, according to festival chairman Brian O’Higgins, and joins a long list of celebrities who have graced the festival during its 55 years.
This year’s festival takes place from September 24 to 27 with a host of activities at various city venues.
Irish chef Richard Corrigan will be a guest judge in Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship which takes place at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Entries have been received from 16 countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Estonia, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Wales, Denmark, Finland, Czech Republic, Sweden, and, for the first time, Spain,
The Irish Oyster Opening Championship will kick start the weekend’s festivities at Morgan’s Bar at the Forster Court Hotel and this will be a free event starting at 8pm.
Friday sees the Mardi Gras ball at the Radisson Blu Hotel, while on Saturday the popular parade takes place from Fishmarket (Spanish Arch ) to Eyre Square, starting at 12 noon.
The elegant lady competition will also be held on Saturday at the Radisson Blu Hotel, followed by the Gala Banquet at the Meyrick Hotel.
Jim McSpaddan of sponsors Guinness says: “We in Guinness are delighted to be associated with this event again this year.
“Many businesses will benefit from this very successful festival. It showcases Galway and the native oyster to a world audience. We can all be proud of how successfully it accomplishes this.”
