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Galway International Oyster Festival

Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th September 2008

It was the first week of September in 1953 and the worried manager of the Great Southern Hotel, Brian Collins, was looking at his near empty hotel. How could he extend the tourist season into September?

Later that day, while discussing menus with the head chef, it was suggested that oysters should be on the menu as they had just come into season. An idea came into Brian’s head –“why not celebrate the opening of the oyster season with a festival?” – “In September 1954 we will have an oyster festival!”

True to his word with help from local businessmen and Guinness, the first festival took place the following September with 34 guests attending the first Oyster Festival Banquet and from such humble beginnings grew what is now regarded as one of the most celebrated and longest running festivals in the world.

The Galway International Oyster Festival has now been voted one of the 12 greatest shows on earth! A weekend of non-stop entertainment which features top-class national and international artists, cabaret and dancing from Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th September. Galway City will come alive as thousands of people travel from the four corners of the world to enjoy a remarkable festival celebrating the oyster, a food known for it’s mysterious luxury and passion.

The Festival takes place at the Oyster Festival Marquee, Nimmos Pier, The Claddagh, Galway. For the full programme of events log onto the Galway International Oyster Festival website below.