The Long Walk and Galway Harbour in Galway, Ireland. The city's oyster festival is happening now.

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A pearl on the coast of Ireland. Aw shucks, it’s oyster season in Galway

Let’s be honest, when you think of Ireland, oysters probably aren’t one of the first things to pop into your head. The proud oyster farmers living on the west coast of the island in Galway Bay, meanwhile, think you should. This weekend, fans of the bivalve have poured into the Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival – an event that claims to be the oldest oyster festival in the world, and the most recognised Irish festival outside of St. Patrick’s Day. Here you can slurp and sample native oysters, which have been growing here for centuries, as well as the Pacific varieties that were brought in during the 1970s. Fans of native Galway oysters tout their meaty texture and subtle flavour. Pairs well with Guinness, we presume.