Galway Oyster Festival 2010, Galway, Ireland 2010 Galway B&B Ireland Hotels.

23rd - 26th September 2010

The Irish love their oysters and Galway, one of the most unspoilt
and spectacular regions of Ireland, is no exception. Every autumn, Galway City hosts the Oyster Festival where visitors can sample "the taste of the sea". For four days and nights, Galway celebrates as guests from all over the world consume the local oysters, Guinness and other gourmet delights. The festival started in 1954; in 1960 the film director John Houston consumed 3,000 oysters; and in 1982, 40,000 oysters were eaten in one sitting.
Highlights of the festival include the popular World Oyster Opening championships, a champagne and oyster reception with the Mayor of Galway, the Oyster Pearl Contest, the parade of flags, a vintage car display, street entertainments, musical bands and an all-night disco. The festival ends with a magnificent banquet accompanied by the finest wines and liquors.

Enjoy four days and nights at the world renowned Galway International Oyster Festival.

For the best in gourmet seafood, live music and the best Guinness in town, it has to be the Galway Oyster Festival 2010.

From Thursday 23rd September to Sunday 26th September 2010, 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 its mysterious luxury and passion.

Festival Schedule

Oyster festival Thursday 23rd September
Guinness Irish Oyster Opening Championships

Venue: Forster Court Hotel
Time: 8pm
Friday 24th September
The Magnificent Mardi Gras Party

Venue: Radisson SAS Hotel
Time: 7:30pm
Dress Code - Smart Casual
Ticket Price: €125.00

Jazz music will set the tone at our champagne, Guinness and Oyster reception. This will be followed by an extensive hot and cold buffet with wines.

Our delicious buffet includes seafood delicacies, pastas and an array of cold cuts and salads.

Select wines will be served throughout with after-dinner liqueur.

Our selected Pearl will be in attendance as will our Guest of Honor.

The Mayor of Galway will welcome one and all and then the party starts.

The non-stop entertainment on this night, featuring top class artists and cabaret acts, guarantees you’ll be finding your dancing feet before the nights’ end.
Saturday 25th September

Official Opening of the Galway International Oyster Festival

Venue: Eyre Square
Time: Starts at 12 noon. Free public event

Musicians and performers will keep the crowd entertained in Eyre Square until the opening ceremony begins. Our newly crowned Pearl will present the season's first oyster to Galway’s Mayor - a tradition since 1954.

After the ceremony a fun parade will make its way through the streets of Galway to the Oyster Festival Center at the Radisson Blu Hotel. This includes a colourful line-up of musical bands, vintage cars, oyster openers, our Oyster Pearl and visiting dignitaries.
Saturday Afternoon
Oyster Tasting

Venue - Radisson Blu Hotel
Time: 1pm - 5:30pm
Ticket Price: €55.00

1.00pm OYSTER TASTING

Feast on an excellent seafood lunch: Oysters, Guinness/Wine amongst many other delights.

2.00pm GUINNESS WORLD OYSTER OPENING CHAMPIONSHIP

The Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship features contestants from every continent competing for the world title and valuable prizes.

3.00pm ELEGANT LADY COMPETITION

For all the ladies joining us, this years Most Elegant Lady competition is a great excuse to spoil yourself. The Galway International Oyster Festival has always been synonymous with grace and style and this year promises a dazzling display of fashion with a spectacular prize for the winning lady sponsored by Fallers Jewellers. www.fallers.com

3.30pm ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE GUINNESS WORLD OYSTER OPENING CHAMPION -

After the winner of the Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship is announced, the party will get into full swing with an internationally flavoured line-up of entertainment including Irish music and dance.
Oyster Festival Gala Ball

Venue: Meyrick Hotel
Start time: 8pm
Dress Code - Black Tie
Ticket Price: €150.00

A truly gourmet experience of exquisite food and wines. The night starts with a champagne and oyster reception and your enjoyment is guaranteed by the famous Saturday night cabaret.

Dancing afterwards till late.
Sunday 26th September
Farewell Party

Venue: Live Lounge Radisson Blu Hotel
Ticket Price: €20.00

Finish with style at the final event of an action-packed weekend. Live music will help us bid farewell to the 56th Galway International Oyster Festival.

http://www.galwayoysterfest.com/

Join us for a celebration like no other!