Shell for you

This is the seventh year of the Cliff Townhouse’s Oyster Festival and this year they’re spreading the love to Kildare and Waterford, with the Cliff House Hotel and Cliff at Lyons both getting on board. Oysters and Opera takes place at the latter tomorrow, featuring soprano Celine Byrne fresh from her performance in front of Pope Francis and an oyster-themed dinner prepared by head chef Ian Diamond and his team. Tickets cost €89 per person (€110 with matching wines), with a reduced overnight rate of €179 per person sharing including the dinner for those who want to make a night of it. The Cliff Townhouse will host a Jazz & Oyster Sunday Lunch on September 16, which features a demonstration, three-course lunch and live music. Tickets cost €50 per person, with sittings at 12.30pm and 2pm. Lastly, the Cliff House Hotel will feature traditional music with Harty’s Oysters and local craft beers on September 27, as well as an Oyster Tour & Supper, which will take guest to the Harty Oyster farm in Dungarvan for tasting and learning the history of the family business, followed by supper back at the Bar Restaurant. Tickets cost €60 and you can stay over for €399 per person sharing, which includes a beach forage in Ardmore with sea gardener Marie Power the following day. Starting today, all three properties will also be offering six Irish oysters with a glass of Albarino wine for €15. Visit clifftownhouse.ie/oysterfest.