Gourmet Delights
“What can be more foolish than to think that all this rare fabric of heaven and earth could come by chance, when all the skill of art is not able to make an oyster!”
Anatole France (French Writer, member of the French Academy and Nobel Prize for Literature in 1921, 1844-1924)
Oysters have been eternally hailed as a precious gourmet delight by food lovers throughout the centuries, beginning with the Roman emperors who paid for them by their weight in gold. The Greeks served them with wine and the Romans were so enthusiastic about these marvelous mollusks that they sent thousands of slaves to the shores of the English Channel to gather them.
Their association with love is inexorable. The story goes that the word “aphrodisiac” was born when Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, emerged from the sea on an oyster shell and gave birth to Eros. Her charismatic lover Casanova also used to start a meal eating 12 dozen oysters.
So, whether Oysters make people fall in love with each other, there are certainly many people who have fallen in love with Oysters.
Ernest Hemingway describes his love of Oysters:
“As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans.”
To compliment our magnificent fresh oysters, we will also be serving other culinary delights. Creamy Guinness, chilled white wine, smoked salmon on homemade brown bread, steaming seafood chowder, crab claws and indulgent deserts making the 56th Galway International Oyster Festival a culinary delight.
See below for details of each event:
Thursday 23rd September 2010
The Guinness Irish Oyster Opening Championship
Venue: TBC
Time: 8pm
Friday 24th September 2010
The Oyster Festival ' Big Night Out'
Venue: Meyrick Hotel, Eyre Square
Time: 7:30pm
This exclusive event marks the official start of the festival. Lively musical entertainment thoughout the evening, exceptional cusine and drink served in the splendid surroundings of the Meyrick Hotel all add up to make this event so special.
Upon arrival to the Meyrick ,guests will be treated to a Guinness and Oyster receopion ,festival canapes and champagne , followed by a gourmet four course dinner in the intimate Dining Room. A selection of fine wines will be served throughout the meal.
Saturday 25th September 2010
Oyster Festival Parade & Guinness World Oyster Opening Championships
Venue: Festival Centre, Radisson Blu Hotel
Time: 11.30-5.30pm
The Oyster Festival Parade featuring our Guest of Honour kicks off the days proceedings at 11.30am from LE Niamh, Galway Docks where the parade will route around by the harbour up Quay Street, High Street and Shop Street and finally into Eyre Square for feast of family entertainment. The official opening of the 56th Galway International Oyster Festival by the Lord Mayor of Galway also takes place whereby our newly crowned Pearl presents him with the first Galway Bay oysters of the season.
12.00pm-It's onto the Radisson Blu Hotel where a non -stop afternoon of entertainment and festival fun awaits; The Guinness World Oyster Opener Chamionship, Best Dressed Lady competition and live music from The Blue Brothers amongst many others. Guests can enjoy a fresh plate of Oysters and a delicious Seafood / cold meat platter lunch while sipping on a complimentary creamy pint of Guinness or a glass of chilled wine.
Saturday 25th September 2010
Oyster Festival Gala Ball
Venue: Festival Centre, Radisson Blu Hotel
Time: 8pm
A glamorous black tie evening to celebrate the crowning of the Oyster Pearl and the 56th Guinness World Oyster Opening Champion in the stylish surrounding of the Radisson Blu Hotel.
Sip on champagne or Guinness and enjoy fresh oysters during our pre -dinner drinks reception.
A gourmet five - course banquet style meal will be served accompanied by select wines throughout and after dinner liquers will be offered. An impressive internationally acclaimed musical line will keep you entertained and dancing until the early hours- making this event the festival highlight that simply can't be missed!
Sunday 26th September 2010
Oyster Festival Finale
Venue: Latin Quarter
Time: 1pm
Free live music including The Friendship Band, performers and street entertainment to round up the 56th festival in the heart of Galway city's Latin Quarter. Experience the unique craic and street carnival atmosphere, savour some Guinness & Oytsers and Seafood lunches available in the pubs of the Latin Quarter. Overall, a great day out in Galway for all the family.
*Galway International Oyster Festival advises all patrons to drink sensibly.
