A first dedicated oyster trail and interactive visitor center has been opened in Ireland.
The Sligo Oyster Experience begins with a short walking tour that crosses the Garavogue River that runs through the town of Sligo and out to Sligo Bay where oyster production has taken place for generations.
Visitors learn about the sharp brine and rich finish of local wild Atlantic oysters, and the shells’ distinctive purple hue, which they get from minerals found in the surrounding Atlantic seabeds.
Owner and manager Aisling Kelly provides live oyster shucking demonstrations and tastings.
“I’m thrilled the Oyster Experience, which has been developing as an idea for some time has finally come to fruition. It’s only the beginning, I’m really looking forward to developing it further and introducing a whole new audience both locals and visitors to wild Atlantic oysters and Sligo Bay,” she said.
Funding for the Sligo Oyster Experience was secured under Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) administered Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) investment. It also received support from the BIM and Fáilte Ireland “Taste the Atlantic” initiative.
BIM CEO Jim O’Toole welcomed the opening of the visitor center.
“The vision for Taste the Atlantic is to provide visitors the opportunity to explore, understand and get to know how the wild Atlantic waters influence the production and taste of some of Ireland’s seafood,” he said.
To date, 21 producers form part of the Taste the Atlantic seafood trail that stretches from the Inishowen Peninsula at the top of Donegal to Oysterhaven Bay in Cork.
