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

When you think of Ireland, do you think of oysters? The proud oyster farmers here in Galway Bay 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 recognized Irish festival outside of St. Patrick’s Day. Here you can slurp and sample native oysters, which have been growing here for centuries, and also try the Pacific varieties that were brought in during the 1970s. Fans of native Galway oysters tout theirmeaty texture and subtle flavor. Pairs well with Guinness, we presume.