Galway’s first native oysters are travelling northeast and across the Border by bicycle, following a presentation by Galway mayor Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) to the Co Down community of Hillsborough.
The “oysters of friendship” are intended to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough Oyster Festival, which takes place this weekend.
The Co Down event has close links with the Galway International Oyster Festival, which takes place later this month, and an oyster-opener from Hillsborough will compete at the west coast event.
The oyster-bearing cyclists will arrive at Hillsborough Castle tomorrow, where the Galway oysters will be presented to the Mayor of Lisburn, Alderman William Leathem (DUP).
Events at Hillsborough this weekend include the world oyster-eating championship. The record for this was set in 2003 by Colin Shirlow – 233 oysters in three minutes.
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