By telling us your country of residence we are able to provide you with the most relevant travel insurance information.
Please note that not all content is translated or available to residents of all countries. Contact us for full details.
Nimmo’s Pier, Galway City, County Galway, Ireland
Last full weekend in September.
The Galway Oyster Festival is dedicated to Ostrea edulis, the European flat oyster. The local molluscs are left to grow for three years in the clean waters of Brandon Bay and Clarenbridge, blooming into a plump and juicy delicacy. Tens of thousands of the slippery critters are consumed on the Guinness Oyster Trail, on which the 30 pubs give out free trays of the seafood with pints of the dark stuff. Each establishment has a dedicated opener, and there’s more nimble-fingered action on display at the World Oyster Opening Championship.
International contestants vie to break the world record, set here in 1977, for prising open 30 of the tight-lipped urchins – one minute 31 seconds. If, at the end of the man-versus-mollusc showdown, they present the judges with a tray resembling a battleground, they lose points.
The city fills with craic such as the opening ceremony, where the Oyster Pearl (festival queen) presents the season’s first oyster to the mayor. Tickets for the more-exclusive Mardi Gras, gala ball and Saturday afternoon at the marquee, including the opening championship, cost up to €170.
4 – you’ll never want to see an oyster again.
Deep pockets and a big appetite will come in handy.
Have a pint in Paddy Burke’s in the nearby village of Clarenbridge, where the festival began in 1954.
More Info: www.galwayoysterfest.com
You can buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world. With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance.
Get a quote
No Comments