Irish oysters

Irish oysters

Huîtres irlandaises - karandaev

There’s nothing like a good Irish oyster with a creamy stout! If the picture seems a little atypical, you should know that this is how oysters are eaten in Ireland. If the Green Isle is one of the most famous countries for its gastronomy, it is above all for the bitterness of its beers, but also for the quality of its oysters!

Taste Irish oysters

Experience the finesse and freshness of Irish oysters!

Irish oysters - © kei u

Irish oysters – © kei u

Ireland is famous for its oyster farming. Although Irish oysters are produced on a much smaller scale than those from France, they shine for their quality and unbeatable taste. The Irish coastline is famous for its cold, unspoilt waters. The area is ideal for oyster farming, and the local marine ecosystem enables oyster farmers to produce products of world-renowned quality!

In fact, oyster connoisseurs and enthusiasts all agree that the Irish oyster is one of the best in Europe!

It’s generally appreciated for its iodized flavors and succulent flesh, enhanced by a few sips of Guinness or a similar stout.

If you ever want to try these oysters, you should know that to date, the 3 great Irish oyster farmers are known as :

  • Donegal Oysters,
  • PKA,
  • and Seabreeze.

The latter usually distribute their oysters to most of Ireland’s fishmongers, restaurants and Irish pubs.

Also, if you like to taste oysters in a festive setting, we recommend attending the Galway International Oyster Festival, which takes place every year in Galway at the end of September. This highly reputed event celebrates the expertise of Irish oyster farmers.

Enjoy delicious oysters in a friendly atmosphere, with traditional Irish music and dancing! Don’t hesitate to get involved!

Ireland is an ideal environment for oyster farming

But why do Irish oysters stand out from their European competitors? First and foremost, Ireland’s geographical location: the island is surrounded by prolific, mineral-rich waters, protected from pollution and home to ecosystems with a fragile balance.

Add to this the presence of high-quality freshwater, peat bogs and limestone rocks such as those found in the Burren region, and you’ve got an environment that’s ideal for growing oysters.

All these factors combine to produce a high-quality oyster farm.

Since 2005, Ireland has implemented a new quality process known as I.Q.O. (Irish Quality Oyster), enabling oyster farmers to cultivate high-quality oysters, under the supervision of a major body ensuring compliance with the I.Q.O. charter.

So much more to discover...