

OYSTER QUEENS
Peggy Carthy O’Brien was the first ever Oyster Festival Queen, crowned at the inaugural event hosted in Paddy Burkes in 1954. Peggy is sadly no longer with us but she is seen here pictured with her granddaughter, Aoibhinn O’Brien, who joined a long line of festival Queens when she held the title in 2014 for the 60th year celebration. History was made when this photograph was taken and the Oyster Festival prides itself on wonderful memories.
The Clarenbridge Oyster Queen is a fantastic opportunity for a young woman to represent the local community and to play an active role in promoting the Festival. This year sees the title change to a festival Pearl. – A pearl is defined as a person or thing of great rarity and worth and we feel that this embodies the essence of our festival ambassador.