The west is your oyster

On the Town: Brian Burke, the current Irish Oyster Opening Champion, wielded his knife like a surgeon.

On the Town: Brian Burke, the current Irish Oyster Opening Champion, wielded his knife like a surgeon.

The University of Limerick physical education student from Clarinbridge, Co Galway, can open 30 oysters in 2 minutes 41 seconds.

He immediately began work on the European flat oyster, ostrea odulis, which travelled first class on the train from Galway earlier this week, specially for the Dublin launch of the 51st Galway International Oyster Festival.

"The Irish oyster has a special flavour which is created by the mix of fresh and salt water that runs into the beds," said Galwegian Michael Kelly, who started selling shellfish to businesses in Ireland in 1951. "The way to eat them is straight from the sea to get the taste of the sea from them. Every day I eat a half-dozen with brown bread."

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The festival's annual highlight, the Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship, will take place on Saturday, September 24th, at 2pm in the festival marquee at Nimmo's Pier in Galway's Claddagh village.

Among those at the launch were the 12 contestants vying for the Pearl of the Festival title. They each represent businesses in Galway, including the Ardilaun House Hotel (Joanne Fitzpatrick), Supermac's head office (Romaine Rouiller) and Junior Chamber International (Carol Guilfoyle).

According to festival administrator Ann Flanagan, Galway expects up to 10,000 visitors over the course of the festival, which will run from Thursday, September 22nd to Sunday, 25th. The chairman of the festival, Padraic O'Maille, said that about €6 million will flow into the local economy.

Also at the launch were Michael Whelan, of sponsor Diageo Ireland; David Lyster, of Dublin restaurant The Lord Edward; committee member Paul Faller, of Faller's Jewellers in Galway; and committee member Rory Murphy, retired managing director of Ashford and Dromoland castles.