All sorts of goodies and a lot more than oysters will be available during the 55th Galway International Oyster Festival. In a new departure between the Galway International Oyster Festival and Junior Chamber International Galway a special exhibition, showcasing the best of Galway, 'More Than Oysters', will take place in the main ballroom in the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa on Saturday 26th September from 1pm to 6pm. Festival goers can expect to get a flavour of a selection of Galway businesses as well as a taste of quality artisan foods from some of Galway’s indigenous and award-winning food producers.
JCI Galway is currently inviting expressions of interest from Galway businesses in particular food producers to take a stand and use this marketing and promotional opportunity to present their products to the estimated 2000 attendees.
The Saturday afternoon is one of the premier events in Ireland’s social calendar during which The Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship takes place with guest judge and celebrity chef Richard Corrigan in attendance. The ‘Most Elegant Lady’ competition sponsored by Fallers will take place amid the oysters, Guinness and lively entertainment. Seeing that this year’s festival has been weather proofed by moving indoors to local hotels, revellers will benefit from the luxurious surroundings of the Radisson Blu Hotel and the comfort of not being dependent on the elements.
Similar to the committee of the Oyster Festival, a voluntary committee of JCI Galway members are currently planning and organising the ‘More Than Oysters’ event and headed up by two past JCI presidents Máirín O’Reilly and Evelyn Cormican. The committee includes Sarah Gillespie, Keith Farrell, Sharon Murphy, Mary Giblin, George Conboy and Ann Marie Shanahan.
‘We believe our hugely successful festival is ready to develop, grow and adapt to changes. We are delighted with the input of JCI Galway in undertaking the ‘More Than Oysters’ event and look forward to an even more enjoyable and memorable festival this year,’ commented Brian O’Higgins, President of Galway International Oyster Festival 2009.
‘In the current economic climate it is important that we take every opportunity to promote our local businesses and JCI Galway members are delighted to be involved with such a premier International event as The Galway International Oyster Festival,’ said Brenda Gannon, President JCI Galway, ‘We look forward to a successful event’.
JCI Galway has a longstanding reputation for their contribution to Galway’s Tourism Industry through their Galway City and County Tourist Guide which began in 1967 and has been produced annually for forty-two years. 100,000 guides were printed in advance of the Volvo Ocean Race stop-over this year and distributed free of charge by JCI and Fáilte Ireland West.
‘Any businesses interested in getting involved are asked to make contact with us immediately as unfortunately space is limited and we expect a great response to this. Junior Chamber International Galway is a not-for-profit voluntary community organisation – through this project we aim to highlight some of our best local businesses,’ explained Máirín O’Reilly, co-chair JCI Galway More Than Oysters committee.
Galway’s International Oyster Festival has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city and region over the last fifty-five years. The festival begins on Thursday 24th September with a free event at The Foster Court Hotel where the Irish Oyster Opening Championship will take place in Morgan’s Bar. The Mardi Gras party in the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa promises to be a colourful and entertaining night with tickets priced €125.
Saturday’s events begin with the Oyster Festival Parade at 12 noon going from Spanish Arch to Eyre Square which will be led by the newly crowned Oyster Pearl. There are openings for local businesses to take part in this parade also.
Saturday’s ‘Oyster Tasting Afternoon’ is reputed as one of the top events in Ireland’s social calendar, and presents great value at a new 2009 price of €55 euros including the JCI Galway ‘More Than Oysters’ event. Book tickets online at www.galwayoysterfest.ie
Galway businesses are invited to contact Máirín O’Reilly on 087 2407903 or Evelyn Cormican on 087 6083846 or email morethanoysters@jci-galway.org for more information and to secure a place at the ‘More Than Oysters’ event.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Máirín O’Reilly, co-chair and PRO JCI Galway’s ‘More Than Oysters’,
Tel. 087 2407903 e: mairin@morpr.com MóR Public Relations, Galway
Additional Information:
Other events include the Galway International Oyster Festival Ball on Saturday 26th September in The Meyrick Hotel and on Sunday The Farewell Party takes place in The Radisson Blu Hotel.