Renowned as one of the country’s leading seafood festivals, the 2013 Connemara Mussel Festival will take place over the bank holiday weekend.
The festival, which celebrates the world renowned Killary mussels, will run from tomorrow (Friday ) to Sunday with cookery demonstrations, cruises along Killary Harbour, traditional music sessions, country markets, and a full programme of entertainment for all the family on the glorious Renvyle Peninsula.
Highlights of this year’s festival include professional mussel cookery demonstrations from the award winning chef Tim O’Sullivan from the Renvyle House Hotel; master chef Jack Duffy from the Elephant & Castle, Temple Bar, Dublin; and Joe Flaherty, head chef from The Brasserie on the Corner, Galway. Watch some familiar faces feel the heat in the kitchen as they battle it out for the title of best chef at the celebrity cook-off. The amateur chef cooking competition is always a highlight of the festival weekend, along with the GMIT School of Catering students’ competition.
The country market, which runs throughout the weekend, features range of local, artisan, and handmade craft and food produce. Musical highlights will include Ceili at the Crossroads with the Swallowtails Ceili Band.
Festival goers can take part in interactive workshops on beekeeping and foraging, enjoy an informative talk on the prominent German philosopher Wittengenstein, who spent time in a cottage at Rosroe on Killary Harbour, and enjoy the Taste of Connemara land and sea buffet with live music by Reflex, which brings the 2013 festival to a close.
Those who love the outdoors can enjoy a heritage walk through scenic Renvyle, learn the art of fly fishing with the captain of the Irish flyfishing team, or cruise along the beautiful Killary Harbour on the Connemara Lady while taking in a visit to a working mussel farm. View an exhibition of work by local artists or enjoy the dramatic presentations and children’s storytelling, ensuring an unforgettable festival weekend. The local pubs will also host an array of traditional music sessions and live entertainment, with tantalising mussels readily available to savour throughout the weekend.
“The west certainly knows how to throw a festival and the Connemara Mussel Festival promises to be no exception,” said Gerry Coyne, chairperson of the Connemara Mussel Festival. “Now in its eighth year, the festival is always a highlight for seafood lovers, and indeed those who enjoy the distinct ambience and setting of north Connemara. This year’s programme of entertainment promises to be the best yet, with an array of events planned for all the family with most free to attend. We are also delighted to have a selection of the country’s top chefs on board, and of course head judge for the weekend Máirín Uí Chomáin, author of Irish Mussel Cuisine.”
To view the full programme of events for the 2013 Connemara Mussel Festival visit www.connemaramusselfestival.com or www.facebook.com/connemaramusselfestival
