Irish oyster farmer wins innovation accolade

Irish oyster producer Carlingford Oyster Company has been named winner of the BIM-sponsored Seafood Innovation Award at the 2025 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, held in Dingle on 3 October.

The family-run company, which has been operating its oyster farm at Carlingford Lough in County Louth for over five decades, was recognised for its innovation in the use of rotation bag technology to improve water flow and shell development, thus improving growth, efficiency, and sustainability, and ensuring consistently high-quality oysters.

“For more than fifty years, Carlingford Oyster Company has combined family heritage with pioneering technology to produce premium oysters that speak to the unique environment or ‘terroir’ of Carlingford Lough," said Paul Ward, BIM’s Head of Business Intelligence, in a news release. He added that the company, founded in the 1970s by Peter Louët Feisser, has developed into a "multi-generational enterprise known for quality, authenticity, and innovation.”

The award was accepted on behalf of Carlingford Oyster Company by Chef Stephane Delourme, formerly head chef at Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant in the UK. Delourme has been working with the business to promote greater awareness of oysters among chefs.

“Every discerning chef seeks out quality in seafood, and tonight’s award gives chefs and indeed all seafood fans another important reason, and another signpost to associate Carlingford oyster with quality and good taste,” he said.

“This award means so much to the entire team at Carlingford Oyster Company. It recognises our commitment to sustainably farmed seafood and our values of tradition, sustainability, and innovation,” said Kian Louët-Feisser, Managing Director of Carlingford Oyster Company. “I hope it also serves to reinforce Ireland’s reputation for world-class oysters across the world.”

The oyster farming company also won three additional awards in the General Seafood category (prepared shellfish – served raw), taking home bronze, silver and joint gold alongside County Galway-based Connemara Oysters.