Connemara Mussel Festival, Renvyle Penninsula, Co. Galway, Ireland

Where it all began....

We were sitting in St Ann’s, in Paddy Coyne’s Pub, one evening in the spring. The fire was lit, and a few pints had been pulled. One of the local lads walked in with a bucket. He had been out on the strand at spring-tide that day, and had a feed of shellfish to show for it. ‘Any chance of a feed’, he said, presenting the pail of shellfish. So we threw on a feed in the kitchen and with a splash of garlic, olive oil, and cream, had a fine feast. Aidan meandered in with a guitar and more joined in as the craic built. It was one of those nights where you don’t expect anything to happen, and next you know, the session is in full swing.

The idea for the Connemara Mussel Festival began that evening, and it has grown from there. This is the fifth year that the Mussel Fest is being held in Tully Cross and Tully on the Renvyle Penninsula, and every pub serves fresh Killary Mussels from Marty Nee’s company Purple Spade Ltd, delivered by Duane’s Seafood Ltd. There is a weekend packed full of activities to look forward to on the May Bank Holiday weekend to suit everyone.

There are both amateur and professional mussel cooking competitions, chef demonstrations, Sean Nos dancing workshops with champion dancer Emma O’Sullivan, and a country market. As well there will be Try-a-dive – offered by Scuba Dive West, and Casting and Angling on Rusheenduff Lake at Renvyle House Hotel with Jackie Coyne, captain of the Irish Fly Fishing team. Additional activities for families and children include drama by Tegolin’s Tales, and games and activities on the pitch. Each night over the weekend there will be a selection of music from traditional to contemporary in the two villages, including a fancy dress disco in Ros’ Bar. An exhibition of work from local artists will be in The Maol Reidh Hotel in Tully Cross over the weekend. The inaugural Mussel Walk along the Killary will take place to allow for an opportunity to see where and how they grow, and take in the breadth of the beautiful landscape.

Judges at the mussel cooking competition