Time to crack open a few natives

Now that there’s a ‘r’ in the month again, it’s time to crack open the oysters and shellfish. In Dublin, The Cliff Townhouse’s third oyster festival kicks off tomorrow, with the launch of a new oyster tasting menu that will run for the month of September. The €18 taster (€30 with a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne), includes Rockefeller, tempura, beetroot, Vietnamese and wasabi caviar oysters, as well as a native specimen. Next Saturday, September 6th, executive chef Sean Smith invites enthusiasts to join an hour-long masterclass on how to “master the oyster” (€30). Oyster supplier Diarmuid Kelly of Michael Kelly Oysters in Galway, will host a talk on the different types available in Ireland at 1pm the following day, in advance of a seafood lunch (€40, including the talk). For details of the full programme of events, see theclifftownhouse.com.

The Clarenbridge oyster festival celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, and Paddy Burke’s pub and restaurant is HQ for the festivities on September 12th-14th. See paddyburkesgalway.com.