Hillsborough Oyster Festival

Am so excited to share the below regarding the 2016 Oyster Festival in Hillsborough, will you go and try the oysters?

Oyster Festival snaps up double-accolade success

 

The Hillsborough International Oyster Festival has two reasons to celebrate; it’s been named as one of the Top 10 food festivals in the world to visit in 2016 by WorldGuide and as one of the best Irish seafood festivals in 2016 by Coast Monkey.

Now in its 24th year the Festival is a popular fixture in the Northern Ireland food calendar and its placement from WorldGuide, an online travel and lifestyle resource, has helped put this local event and Northern Ireland firmly on the world platform. It ranks alongside the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival in Australia, World Gourmet Summit in Singapore, Salon du Chocolat in Paris, Taste of Chicago in Illinois and Lona Coffee Cultural Festival in Hawaii.

Claudia Hellmann, Travel & Food Editor at WorldGuide commented, “It was not easy to decide which food events to pick as our top recommendations for 2016 because there are so many exciting festivals in all parts of the world. But picking the Hillsborough Oyster Festival was easy. I have always loved it for its unique mix of the finest locally-sourced produce, laid-back atmosphere and exciting events such as the World Oyster Eating Championship and it has such a varied programme that it's one of the most entertaining food events I know.”

The Festival received its listing as one of the best Irish seafood festivals in 2016 from Coast Monkey, an online resource that shares news and information about the Irish Coast.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been named as one of the world’s top food festivals and one of the best Irish seafood festivals in 2016 and especially in NI Year of Food and Drink,” said Don Spence, chairman of the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival organising committee. “Every year we strive to host a bigger and better event that attracts visitors to the village and showcases the very best of local produce and seafood.”

This year the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival takes place from Tuesday 30th August to Sunday 4th September. For further information visit www.hillsboroughoysterfestival.com

Oyster Festival

Hi and that time of year gearing up for holidays, sun and oysters!! The Oyster Festival press release is below. You either love or loathe them, which one are you?

HILLSBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL OYSTER FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH EXTENDED PROGRAMME

Let the world be your oyster at the annual Hillsborough International Oyster Festival 2015. Running from Tuesday 1st to Sunday 6thSeptember, this world-famous Festival offers visitors the opportunity to sample the finest locally sourced produce and to be entertained by local artists and fun activities. 

The Hillsborough Oyster Festival will include activities, performances and eating experiences to satisfy all tastes. This year’s Festival will see the return of the World Oyster Eating Championship, the glamourous Pearl and Oyster Ball, The Oyster Masters Golf, the Super Car Dream Sunday and the Soapbox Derby which is being sponsored by TrustFord this year. The line-up will also feature the debut of a number of exciting events including the appetising Hillsborough Gourmet Pop-Up Restaurant. 

The week-long Oyster Festival attracts large numbers of tourists to the Hillsborough area each year and now in its 23rd year, the prestigious event once again anticipates many visitors from the USA, Japan and beyond, all travelling to Northern Ireland to indulge in the unique food festival.  

Speaking at the launch of this year’s event, Don Spence, Chairman, Festival organising committee said, “Each year the Festival goes from strength to strength and contributes enormously to the local tourism industry. It sparks interest among food lovers, car fanatics and music fans. This year we’re looking forward to having racer Guy Martin join us for the TrustFord Soap Box Derby, as well welcoming the Ulster Youth Orchestra as a new addition to the Festival line-up, all in support of our nominated charities, Clubs for Young People (CYP NI) and the Hillsborough Village Centre.”

Premium gastronomy is a core ingredient of the Festival’s success with shellfish taking centre stage on Saturday 5th September at the World Oyster Eating Championship where competitors will be given the chance to win the coveted champion’s title. The new Gourmet Pop-up restaurant which premiers on Thursday 3rd September will provide guests with an exclusive dining experience comprising a three-course meal with dishes prepared by chefs from the MourneSeafood Bar, The Hillside, The Parson’s Nose and The Plough. 

Don Spence adds, “The Festival is a great opportunity for neighbourhood restaurants to display their culinary flair and local food producers to exhibit their home-grown goods at the Festival’s Gourmet Food Market.”

In addition to the cuisine, The Hillsborough International Oyster Festival also gives visitors the chance to delight in the company of the local community through the scheduled social events such as the Oyster Masters Golf Day, live concerts, the Pearl and Oyster Blues Brothers Ball, and during the open-air motor show at Super Car Dream Sunday. 

The Hillsborough International Oyster Festival also kindly acknowledges the support of Tourism NI and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council in the staging of this year’s event.

For further information or to purchase tickets visit www.hillsboroughoysterfestival.com

Ends.

For media inquiries and interview opportunities please contact Julie McCabe (julie@massivepr.tv / 07801 989950) or Brittany Breslin (Brittany@massivepr.tv / 07786 964 645) at Massive PR.

 

Notes to Editors:

About Hillsborough International Oyster Festival

Now in its 23rd year, The Hillsborough International Oyster Festival is one of Northern Ireland’s premier events, attracting thousands of visitors each year from across the world. Set in the historic, picturesque Georgian village of Hillsborough, Co. Down the event takes place from 1st – 6th September 2015 and visitors can look forward to food and festivities with a packed programme of activities and entertainment. 

 

Event Schedule – Hillsborough International Oyster Festival 2015  

▪ Tuesday 1st September – The Oysters Masters Golf Day in association with Lexus and Finlay Wealth Management

▪ Wednesday 2nd September – Oyster Festival Musical Evening featuring the music of Hamilton Harty and friends. In association with the Ulster Youth Orchestra, PortadownMale Voice Choir, Music Matters and SD Bells

▪ Thursday 3rd September – Hillsborough International Oyster Festival Pop-up Restaurant featuring the best of eating from the village and beyond and will entertainment from the world famous Faulty Towers cast. Supported by MourneSeafood, The Hillside, The Parson’s Nose, The Plough Inn, Deloitte, SD Bells, and Finlay Wealth Management

▪ Friday 4th September – Pearl and Oyster Blues Brothers Ball in association with Trust Ford and Finlay Wealth Management

▪ Saturday 5th September (Day) – The World Oyster Eating Championship 

▪ Saturday 5th September (Night) – The Flash Harry and Friends Live Concert & BBQ 

▪ Sunday 6th September – Super Car Dream Sunday 

For further details on the event please visit www.hillsboroughoysterfestival.com