The Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival celebrates its 60th birthday this month with an extended four-day programme that includes seveal new events.
To mark its birthday and a new home, the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival will host a free evening’s entertainment at the festival marquee at the Spanish Arch. The spectacular 10 piece Baile an Salsa will headline an evening of Celtic fusion music, dance and craic on Thursday September 25 from 7pm.
The following evening from 7pm sees the traditional National Oyster Opening Championships and opening night party with live music and entertainment all evening, with acts to include The Firm and Spring Break 80s.
From 2pm to 9pm on Saturday the highly competitive World Oyster Opening Championships is the highlight of the day with oyster openers from 16 countries vying for the title. There will also be live music all day, with acts to include 4 Men and a Bass, The Bentley Boys, and the Havana Club Trio.
Masks, glamour and the Absurdist Pipe Band, from Scotland, will be on the streets for the masquerade Mardi Gras on Saturday 27 from 8pm. The well-loved event sees masked revellers taking to the streets of Galway, hopping from one venue to the next enjoying a full dinner, drinks and dancing late into the night. Tickets are selling fast to this limited capacity event .
If Mardi Gras is not your style, be entertained at the Oyster Festival silent disco ball in association with the Roisin Dubh.
On Sunday, Feilé na Mara – Wild Atlantic Tastes takes place from 12 noon to 7pm. This family day in the festival marquee boasts musical performances from Macey South, A Band Called Wanda, Galway Jazz Band, and Mikey and the Scallywags. There will also be live cooking demonstrations throughout the day, as well as plenty of entertainment for the children, including face painting and circus skills workshops.
Tickets from €10 are available now from the Festival Box Office in the Claddagh Ring Shop, Quay St, or from www.galwayoysterfestival.com
