Galway Oyster Festival: Complete Guide to the Longest Seafood Fest

The Galway International Oyster Festival is held annually in the city of Galway. Located in west Ireland, Galway is also known as the ‘festival capital of Ireland.’ Though the city hosts close to more than 100 festivals in a year, the Galway International Oyster Festival is its most popular and loved festival. Held each year on the last weekend of September, the festival hosts a number of activities, competitions, entertainment events, and more. The Galway International Oyster Festival is the longest in the world. It is also one of the world's most recognized festivals and events in Ireland. This year the festival will be held from 22nd – 24th September 2023.

What Is Oyster Festival?

Contrary to what the name suggests, the Oyster Festival isn’t only about devouring the salty oysters and downing pints of Guinness. A lot more is happening at the Galway International Oyster Festival to keep visitors, competitors, and locals busy. The festival includes *two Oyster Opening or Shucking Champions, also fondly known as the Oyster Olympics r World Oyster Opening Championships. Besides, the Mardi-Gras or the Masquerade Gala is a fashionable and stylish event with fine dining, dance, and champagne. The festival also includes the annual beauty pageant where the Queen ‘Festival Pearl’ is crowned and the family fun fair Feile Bia held on Salt Hill. Furthermore, there are several oyster hubs, food and talk events at leading restaurants, oyster eating competitions, cooking demos, live music, performances, and more! The city has myriad activities; pubs overflow with music, Guinness, and food. Also, the Seafood Trail is the newest edition of the festival. The best restaurants serve a delicacy of locally sourced seafood and ingredients. And, of course, they serve all visitors the authentic Galway Oyster during the festival.

History of Galway Oyster Festival

The first Galway International Oyster Festival was held in 1954. Brian Collins, the manager of the Great Southern Hotel, came up with the idea of the festival to attract tourists to the city. The first Galway Oyster Festival had 34 attendees. The first festival was held in Clarenbridge Village, near Paddy Burke’s Bar. It was later shifted to centre of Galway city.  Over the years, the festival has hosted more than half a million people and consumed around 3 million oysters and more. In fact, each year an approximate of 22,000 visitors attend the festival.

Where is the Festival Held?

The Galway International Oyster Festival is located in one of the most picturesque parts of the city. Overlooking the gorgeous Wild Atlantic Way, the maximum action of the festival takes place from Claddagh Hill to Nimmo’s Pier. The festival's main site is located next to the South Hill Park.

Itinerary for Galway Oyster Festival 2023

The three-day festival begins on the last weekend of September. Every year the schedule is more or less the same. Here is the official schedule for the festival that begins on 22nd September 2023.

22 September
Friday Night – The festival officially begins from 7:00 PM onwards. The evening includes the beauty show that culminates in the crowning of the Seafood Queen or Festival Pearl and the Claddagh King. The Festival Pearl or Oyster Pearl presents the first season of oysters to the Mayor of Galway. Once he eats the oyster, the festival officially begins. Also, the qualifying rounds for the Oyster Opening Cup commence as participants take the stage to show off their shucking skills. There is seafood, vibrant live music, and a full bar.

Venue: Galway City Centre
Time: 7:00 PM onwards
Entry Ticket: 45 Euro

23rd September
Saturday Afternoon – This is the big day! The World Oyster Opening Championship get underway. The competitive vibe is palpable as competitors are judged on their speed of shucking, as well as their technique and presentation. There is a lot of cheering and patriotic fervour, especially during the final stages of the competition. Along with the excitement of the competition, one can also enjoy the sumptuous seafood of Ireland, including the native oyster, of course. However, the cuisine also includes vegan and vegetarian options. The live music in the backdrop of the competition is continuous, contagious, and fabulous.

Venue: Galway City Centre
Time: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Entry Ticket: 90 Euro

Saturday Night – The Saturday Night Fever catches on soon at the Galway International Oyster Festival. One of the main highlights and attractions of the festival, the Oysters Masquerade Party is the perfect sequel after the gruelling competition in the afternoon. This is the time to up your style game, dance away endlessly and enjoy the night views of Galway’s most beautiful and iconic Long Walk. Also, called the Mardi Gras Dinner, the band, a few audience competitions and a mouth-watering six course dinner and spread of food, is what stands out in the party.

Venue: Festival Marquee, Nimmo’s Pier
Time: 8:00 PM onwards
Entry Ticket: 120 Euros

24th September
Sunday – The last day of the festival is laid-back yet educative. Known as the Feile Bia Na Mara, the fun fair is for all in the family. Visitors can participate in and benefit from several workshops, talks, cooking demos, etc.. The Wild Atlantic Taste, organized at the festival, is a series of cooking demos that explore the superb seafood along Ireland’s coastline. Renowned local and international chefs conduct the Cooking Demos. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about local and other cuisines and tips that can help your culinary experience. There are also plenty of activities for kids to keep them entertained and busy.

Venue: Galway City Centre
Time: 12 Noon- 7:00 PM
Entry Ticket: Free Entry                

Highlights of the Galway Oyster Festival

1. Seafood Trail

The Seafood Festival is also a part of the Galway Oyster Festival. The Seafood Trail is a recent event added to the festival. It includes select restaurants of Galway which serve popular seafood during the festival days. From Thursday to Sunday, some of the best restaurants in the city serve the best and most iconic dishes of Galway and Ireland. These dishes include the Galway native oysters, Galway Bay prawns, Irish beef, mussels, fish stew, and more. This year in 2023, there are 17 restaurants included in the trail. Some of these include McDonagh, West @ The Twelve, Tigh Neachtain, Brasserie at The Galway Bay Hotel, Tartare, Sonny Molloys, Ruibin, McSwiggans, The Dail Bar, and more.

2. Dine & Wine

The Galway Oyster Festival has many highlights. However, the spread of food is an integral part of the extravaganza. Native Galway oysters can be found only in Galway and have a distinct taste of their own. The oysters are best eaten alongside taking sips from the Guinness. This is the most sought-after combination that both tourists and locals enjoy in the city.

However, besides the oysters, a wide range of cuisine and food is served all over the city during the festival. The Latin Quarter, which is a prominent city area, is where most of the authentic restaurants and food stalls are found. During the festival, it is the best place to try out the lavish spreads of meals and drinks. Other local dishes to try out during the festival include scampi, sausage coddle, Irish stew, Shephard’s pie, boxty pancake, colcannons, and more. For drinks, one can try the Guinness and other varieties, like Irish wine, beer, etc.

3. The Competition

One can, of course, visit the festival as an audience. But if you think you have got in you to participate in the World Oyster Opening Competition, then here are a few things you ought to know. The Oyster Opening Championships is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. Winners from other oyster competitions make their way to Ireland to participate. However, the contestants are judged on a number of parameters. Each contestant is given 30 oysters that they must open quickly and clean. They are also penalized if the oyster is damaged or gets dirty. Their pace and technique and how perfectly the oysters are shucked are judged. A tremendous and clear flesh is the hallmark of a well-shucked oyster.

Tips to Enjoy Oyster Festival Like a Local

• Make sure to book the tickets for the festival events and place of stay in advance. Also, if you want to hire a car that can take you around and outside the city after or before the festival, you should also hire a car in advance. The Galway Clinic in Doughiska offers quick medical services in case of emergency. 
• The festival has both paid and free events. Plan which events you want to attend according to your availability, interest, and budget. 
• Ireland’s weather can get quite unpredictable. Unexpected showers of rain are common. Thus, make sure to pack waterproof bags, raincoats, overcoats, etc.

The Galway Oyster International Festival is one of the most fun festivals, especially if you enjoy seafood and booze. It is a cultural expression of the island nation where the locally found and produced foods and beverages are showcased in traditional spectacle that involves music, dance, dining and drinking. However, the festival is also an excellent opportunity to explore the city of Galway and its surrounding natural and historical wonders. Do not give it a miss! It is worth a visit for sure.