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The Oyster Openers
World Class Oyster Openers
Ireland has featured extensively in International Oyster Opening Championships, winning the World Oyster Opening title on many occasions: 1968 (Johnny Commins), 1969 (Johnny Commins), 1970 (Johnny Commins), 1974 (Josie Burke), 1977 (Willie Moran), 1978 (Willie Moran), 1984 (Josie Burke), 1987 (Josie Burke), 1988 (Seamus Lane), 1989 (Vincent Graham), 1991 (Gerry Grealish), 1993 (Gerry Grealish), 2006 (Michael Moran).
Willie Moran taking part in the US National Shucking Championship
A US participant in the International Oyster Opening Championships at the Oyster Festival
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OYSTER TITLE FOR KILCOLGAN
The dismal weather of the weekend put a minor damper on the annual International Oyster Festival and affected some of the outdoor events but the general enthusiasm was as great as ever and the capacity attendance had a stronger international flavour than many previous festivals.
It was a festival to remember for young Willie Moran of The Weir, Kilcolgan, and there have been few more popular winners of the International Oyster Opening Championship since the competition was launched.
He has been "knocking on the door" for nearly a decade and made it a grand slam this time by winning the Irish Championship the previous night.
There was an impressive international entry for the championship vindicating the decision of some years ago to inaugerate it.
Oyster opening champions and "Shuckers" (the American term for the same skill) came from Switzerland, Brittany, America, Canada, Austria, Ireland and France. For the first time two womens competitors struck a blow for womens lib by competing in the Irish Championship.
| The following were the results of the international championship: | |||
| time | |||
|
1
|
Irish | Willie Moran | 2.53 |
|
2
|
Brittany | Rene Le Noc | 3.14 |
|
3
|
USA | Cornelius Mackall | 3.49 |
|
4
|
USA | Franklin C. Butler | 3.57 |
|
5
|
Canada | Blair Smith | 4.04 |
|
6
|
Austria | Herb McLeagh | 4.11 |
|
7
|
France | Michele Chauvet | 4.51 |
|
8
|
Swisse | Roland LaFarge | 5.55 |
| The Irish Championships | |||
|
1
|
Willie Moran, The Weir, Kilcolgan | 3.18 | |
|
2
|
Liam Neylan, Stephens Restaurant, The Olde Malt | 3.22 | |
|
3
|
Tony Burtenshaw, Lord Edwards Restaurant, Dublin | 3.58 | |
|
4
|
Noreen Moran, The Weir, Kilcolgan | 4.02 | |
|
5
|
Eddi Barco, Meaney's, Kilkenny | 4.03 | |
|
6
|
Martin Daly, Oyster Tavern, Cork | 4.06 | |
|
7
|
Martin Neyland, Niland's, The Weir | 4.16 | |
|
8
|
John Connolly, Burkes, Clarenbridge | 4.33 | |
|
9
|
Seamus Lane, Silver Teal, Moycullen | 4.42 | |
|
10
|
Eamonn Preston, Wicklow Hotel, Dublin | 5.10 | |
|
11
|
Geread Bannan, Greally's, Clarenbridge | 5.51 | |
|
12
|
Maureen Keane, Skeffington Hotel, Galway | 5.57 | |
|
Best
Presented Plate of Oysters Best
Lady Competitor |
|||
Connacht Tribune, September 8, 1977
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WOMEN & OYSTER OPENING
"The men have had it all their own way as oyster openers in the Irish and International Championships promoted as part of the Galway Oyster Festival but this year they will be challenged by the women.
Two girls are already in the line-up for oyster honours and the Committee hope that more will enter for the contest. One, at least, of the women contenders is certain of a prize as Guinnesses have put up a trophy for the fastest oyster opener among the women.
The two who have already entered are Noreen Moran of The Weir, Kilcolgan, and Ann Gibbons of Merchants Road (Galway) oyster merchant firm. Like Miss Gibbons, Miss Moran is a member of a family in the oyster business.
The festival committee hope that other young women will take part. They need not necessarily be young. Dexterity in opening that closed mouthed creature is the important thing not years."
Connacht Tribune in 1973
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