Galway Oyster Festival this weekend

THE STREETS of Galway will come alive with pop-up oyster bars and seafood specials, as the city prepares to host the 72nd World Oyster Opening Championships.

Held on the last weekend in September, Galway Oyster Festival is home to the greatest contest in oyster shucking and attracts competitors from all over the world.

Sixteen nations including Singapore and Canada will be competing to be crowned the champions at this year’s competitions.

Galway’s native oysters are notoriously tricky to open, making this competition one of the hardest in the world.

The Irish Championships take place on Friday, September 25 at 8pm in An Púcán, Forster St, where the best in Ireland will be selected to represent the country on Saturday, September 26.

The 16 International competitors will showcase their skills and speed at the World Championships on Saturday, from 2pm.

The festival runs from Thursday to Sunday, September 27, each day filled with a variety of events from farm tours to live music and a Galway Oyster Trail.