Martin Shanahan, star of RTE’s hit TV programme Martin’s Mad About Fish stepped out of the kitchen to officially launch the 57th Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival, taking place from September 23 to 25, 2011.
Internationally recognised as one of the leading food festivals in Ireland, the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival attracts more than 10,000 visitors each September with an expected €5 million economic injection generated from the three day festival. With the Irish seafood sector currently worth in the region of €700 million annually and employing approximately 11,000 people, celebrations like the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival are vital in sustaining the industry and developing the sector within Ireland and lucrative foreign markets.
This year marks the return of the festival to its spiritual home as Hotel Meyrick (previously the Great Southern Hotel ) takes over the mantle of the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival and looks forward to continuing the festival’s excellent reputation for showcasing the best of Irish seafood and shellfish in tandem with an engaging entertainment programme.
Throughout the festival, a host of tantalising events to whet your appetite will take place, including: Galway’s first seafood dine-around, in a selection of the city’s finest seafood restaurants at 6pm on Friday September 23; the National Oyster Opening Championship at the festival marquee at 7pm on Friday September 23 to kick-start the weekend’s celebrations where attendees will be treated to Galway Bay seafood chowder and a gourmet seafood plate and the event is supporting the RNLI; the Oyster Festival Parade at 11.30am on Saturday September 24 from Hotel Meyrick through the streets of Galway with a host of fun, free events for all the family; the World Oyster Opening Championship and Seafood Lunch at the festival marquee from 12 noon-5pm on Saturday September 24 with the famous native Galway oysters, complemented with Bollinger Champagne and Guinness; the Oyster Festival Gala Ball, glamorous black tie event at 8pm in Hotel Meyrick, renowned each year as the festival highlight; and the Oyster Festival Finale with family activities, kids’ fancy dress, live music, cooking demonstrations, Irish coffee making competition, and jive and jazz marking the finale of the 57th Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival from 12 noon until late at the festival marquee.
“Final preparations for the festival are now under way with many of the signature events over the past 57 years still an integral part of festivities including the Oyster Opening Championships, festival parade, Oyster Pearl Competition and black tie gala ball. Original elements have also been added to this year’s programme such as the seafood focus, along with Galway’s first seafood dine around and of course the return of the festival marquee at the Galway Harbour,” says Cian O’Broin, general manager of Hotel Meyrick.
Experience the unique ambience of the City of the Tribes, savour the wonderful seafood delights of the west, and be part of one of the most celebrated festivals in the world from September 23 to 25, 2011. Tickets for all events at the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival are available on www.galwayoysterfestival.com Alternatively, contact the festival team on info@galway oysterfest.com or call (091 ) 575875 for further details.
