Clarenbridge Oyster Festival

The locals of Clarenbridge take their oysters extremely seriously - so much so that they dedicate three days of September to honouring the humble bivalves.

Clarenbridge's Oyster Festival is a celebration of its native oyster - a delicacy and some say an aphrodisiac - eaten locally for thousands of years and now enjoyed by people from around the world. Thousands of people from all over Ireland and abroad come to Clarenbridge each year to enjoy the oysters and join in the celebrations for the beginning of the oyster season.

Highlights of this year's festivities include the traditional market day, the old churches of Kilcolganan ecclesiastical field quiz, an art and photographic exhibition, card games and numerous talks and demos. Obviously there is plentiful food and drink involved along the way.

On the Saturday evening everyone dresses up for the fabulous Black and White Ball - a great night's entertainment featuring an eight-course gourmet meal, top bands and cabaret acts. For those able to take the pace (and with room left in their stomach), there's a Sunday Jamboree - with more music and dancing, Irish Coffee, seafood chowder and, of course, plenty of Guinness.

Related Information

Website: Clarenbridge Oyster Festival Website