When is the Galway Oyster festival, and is it the sort of thing that would work as a boozy weekend with mates? - Bradley McGowan, Aberdeen

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: Oh yes ­– and right since day one back in 1954, the event has been sponsored by Guinness, the guzzling of which (for the non-oyster aficionados of course), is at the very heart of the event.

This year, it takes place between the 24th and 27th of September, and as always, kicks off with an grand parade through the town, after which those with deep pockets decamp to the marquee (having stumped up £105pp) for the Guinness World Oyster Opening Championship.

Don’t worry if you’d rather divert your dosh into finding a less formal craic elsewhere, as 30 pubs participate in the Guinness Oyster Trail, in which, you’ll get free oysters with every pint of the black stuff. There is live music, comedy, and dance acts too, and each pub has a dedicated oyster opener.

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To round off the ceremonies, some genius thought that a Sunday farewell party would be a good idea, in the marquee, with more Guinness, and yes, more oysters, this time fried, with scrambled eggs, or eau natural again. If you can’t quite stomach the latter, you’ll be relieved to hear that there is a full Irish breakfast option too.

Tickets to the farewell party are £19pp and need to be booked in advance at the festival website - www.galwayoysterfest.com. Aer Arann (www.aerarann.com) serve Galway from five UK airports, and it goes without saying, try to book your flights and accommodation as far ahead as possible. The Galway Tourism web site is a good starting point - www.galwaytourism.ie

For more details on this, and tons of other festivals, see Rough Guide’s World Party (www.roughguides.com; £16.99), and Lonely Planet’s A Year of Festivals (www.lonelyplanet.com; £16.99)

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