Event: Ireland

Galway International Oyster Festival

When:	25 - 28 Sep 2008 (annual)
Where:	Galway City
Costs:	Various
Opening Hours:	Various

This seafood-loving celebration has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 1957. Its winning formula of Guinness and oyster trails, shucking contests, Irish music, comedy and, of course, its native oyster successfully draws visitors from all over the globe.

The star of the show is Galway's Ostrea edulis, better known as the European flat oyster. After being left to fatten and mature for three whole years in the unpolluted waters of Brandy Bay and Clarenbridge it can be considered ready to meet the delicious home-made brown bread and Guinness on the many tables of the pubs and restaurants around Galway. Less saline in taste than many other oysters, a tad metallic and generously plump - as opposed to South Africa's renowned muscly Knysna oyster - you'll undoubtedly sample a few over the weekend.

On the Saturday of the festival the Galway oyster undergoes the greatest test of all with The Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship. Up to 15 countries as diverse as Australia, Austria and the USA eagerly compete for this acclaimed title. The competition is based on opening 30 native Irish oysters. Time is the main factor, although opening technique and presentation are also crucial.

Other features of the event include dancing on chairs and waving napkins to the clinking of glasses. Those wanting to know more about these traditions should post an inquiry with the "respectable" members of the Irish society - bear in mind that it is rather exclusive. Don't miss The Guinness Elegant Lady Competition and the festival's golf and sailing contests. Above all, you'll discover that the festival is a craic that's hard to forget.