25 Degrees, 8 hours of sunshine, what more could the Clarenbridge Oyster Festival require

25 Degrees, 8 hours of sunshine, the sold out Clarenbridge Oyster Festival needed no more!

Blazing sunshine, glamour, musical entertainment, tug-of-war, brush dancing, oyster eating and a stopover of the Cannon Ball Run were all part of the 2009 Clarenbridge Oyster Festival. Over 4000 locals and visitors turned out in their finery to officially celebrate Clarenbridge as the home of the oyster on this its 55^th Anniversary.

Festival organisers delivered a creative new structure and an array of additional novelty events. The official opening of the festival weekend commenced on the Friday 11^th September with MC for the weekend TG4’s charismatic Daithi O Se entertaining the audience with his quick wit and charm.

The Classic Gala on Saturday, from 4.30pm to 12.30am with spectacular non stop entertainment and the Classic Beatles brought the night to a superb rock and roll ending. The weather did not disappoint creating a sizzling energy that makes this festival one of the most successful to date. Class Act winners, The Keaney Dance Act riveted the audience with three different routines and then acted as judges for the extremely popular brush dance competition. Senator Ciaran Cannon gave it his all only to be pipped at the post by Ian O’Brien from Clarenbridge who was not letting the title out of the village.

The event that created the biggest stir was the Town land Tug-Of-War which took place at the Sunday jamboree with Galway Bay FM’s Ollie Turner as compere. Seven local teams competed in what was a passionate no holds barred fight to the end and the two finalists, Sherry’s Beer Bellies and the Killeeneen Lightweights left nothing to chance. Sherry’s took the title on the day but rumour has it training has already commenced for next years’ battle. The Sunday event was run is association with the Alan Kerins African Projects and certainly ticked all the boxes in terms of family entertainment and community fun with duck races down the river, penalty shoot outs and fancy dress and art competitions. When asked to sum up the weekend festival chairperson Anne Forde said “This has been a fabulous weekend from beginning to end, the buzz, energy and excitement was tremendous, the sense of community palpable and determined. We cannot thank our sponsors and patrons enough for their support and commitment, without them this great festival would not and could not have happened”

The Clarenbridge Oyster Festival is long associated with fashion and glamour. This year with the fashion and style stakes raised by champion proportions Galway Now, sponsors of the best dressed lady and the judging panel, renowned Irish designers Tyrell & Brennan had a task in hand to select the most stylish lady at this years’ festival. The prize of a weekend for two in a luxurious suite of the award winning 5 star G Hotel with spa treatments, a voucher for A. Hartmann & Son Ltd and a magnificent Clarins hamper was won by Mrs Rebekah Bartolozzi from Clarenbridge. The most creative headpiece, sponsored by Q Beauty, Kilcolgan was won by Avril Donnellan and the best dressed man this year had joint winners from Scotland Damon Clark and Marting Macgiff both wearing the traditional Kilts.

A host of Austin martins, Lamborghinis and Ferraris added to the occasion with the Clarenbridge stop over of the Cannon Ball Run in aid of Barrettstown. Celebrities and volunteers sampled the world famous oysters and of course a traditional pint of black. Drivers in costume Clowns, Sheiks, Priests and soldiers with their entourage added a dramatic splash of colour to the festivities.

The organisers of the festival would like to acknowledge and thank their sponsors: Londis, Kilcolgan, Paddy Burke’s Oyster Inn, Failte Ireland, The Galway Advertiser and Guinness.

Emerald sponsors: Corrib Oil, Ward and Burke Construction Ltd., Eventus Marquees, PoppySeed Gourmet Coffee House, Snap Printing, EBS Oranmore, Ned Forde Ltd., Galway Now, Terryland Fruit & Veg Market and Walsh Crane Hire. Continued thanks go to Q Beauty of Kilcolgan, sponsors of the Most Creative Headpiece and to the 2009 Best Dressed Lady Sponsors Galway Now.

Plans for the 2010 festival have already commenced and promises even more additions to this winning formula. Anne Forde added “The 2009 festival has been a fantastic success with the sell out of both the Friday and Saturday events. This has been an interesting and challenging year but the attendance speaks for itself and Clarenbridge is ready for more”