 Galway Oyster Festival
On the last weekend of September each year, the cosmopolitan town of Galway hosts the Galway International Oyster Festival, one of the biggest events in Ireland's social calendar. A feast of live entertainment, gourmet food, fine wine and of course Oysters and Guinness are enjoyed by some 10,000 people with guests and luminaries from all over the world.
The Galway Oyster Festival has come along way since its humble origins in 1954. The festival was the brainchild of Brian Collins, hotelier at the Great Southern Galway. His intention was to extend the tourist season into September with an Oyster Festival Banquet, which was first attended by just 34 people. Since then the festival has become huge business, sponsored by Guinness, it brings an estimated 2m euros into the local economy and has developed into one of Ireland's most celebrated festivals with a range of events.
Over the four days, the festival hosts the World Oyster Opening Championship, an annual beauty contest to select the Festival Pearl, a Mardi Gras Party with Champagne, Guinness and Oyster reception and an electrifying line up of top class artists, an afternoon Marquee Reception (with more Guinness and Oysters) and the grand finale, the Gala Ball.
The Oyster Festival is undoubtedly a world event and a great time for visiting Galway, the City of the Tribes.
For more information check out the official website for the Galway International Oyster Festival
Festivals to see on your Ireland vacation
- Cork Week 2008 - 12 to 19 July
Cork Week, commonly known as Ford week (The festival was sponsored by Ford Motor Company for many years), is Ireland's largest international sailing regatta and is held in July every two years.
- The Dublin Horse Show 2008 - 06 to 10 August
The Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show will take over the entire RDS complex in the heart of Dublin from August, 6th to the 10th, 2008.
- The 2008 Rose of Tralee - 22 to 26 August 2008
Ireland's premier beauty festival the Rose of Tralee attracts contestants and visitors from all over Ireland and the World to the colourful town of Tralee in Co. Kerry.
- Irish Match Making Festival Lisdoonvarna - Aug 29 to Sept
Throughout the month of September, the spa town of Lisdoonvarna close to the Burren in Co. Clare, celebrates the world famous Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival with music and lots of fun.
- Kinsale Food Festival 2008 - 10 to 12 October
In October 2008, Kinsale, the gourmet food capital of Ireland, holds the Kinsale Food Festival promising a host of culinary delights, appearances from renowned celebrity chefs and a range of entertainments for all the family.
- Belfast Festival at Queens 2008 - October 24 to 27
One of Ireland's largest international arts, the Belfast Festival at Queens, takes place during the last two weeks of October with a host of internationally renowned acts in theatre, dance, music, comedy, literature and art.
- The Guinness Jazz Festival Cork 2008 - October 24 to 27
Ireland's biggest Jazz Event, the Guinness Jazz Festival in Cork kicks off at the end of October from the and this year promises to be one of the biggest ever.
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