It seems safe to say that when Americans think of Irish holidays, they think of St. Patrick's Day, perhaps wincing at the memory of that tenth green beer. But since we at the Beard Foundation are never ones to turn down a party, we'd like to kick off a fall season of Irish merrymaking with our salute to the Oyster Festival of Galway, Ireland-a celebration of dance, song, libation, and of course, oysters, that has been taking place for 45 years. Galway's oyster beds produce small oysters of remarkable flavor and succulence, best enjoyed, of course, with a good pint. Here to help us celebrate is Jim Martin of McGuire's Irish Pub, a popular spot in Pensacola founded in 1977 by Martin's father, McGuire Martin, that has inspired both locals and celebrities, including George Carlin, Reba McIntire, Brooke Shields, and Janet Jackson, to pin on a touch o' green.

McGuire and Molly Martin have been doing their best to introduce classics such as the Irish fisherman's platter and steak and mushroom pie to the local Floridean repertoire. By all accounts, they have been successful. They were the recipients of Florida Trend magazine's Golden Spoon Award from 1994 through 1998, have been selected for the Pensacola News Journal's People's Choice Award, and were given the Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence in 1997 and 1998 for their stellar wine list, which includes vertical collections of Opus One and Mouton Rothschild. McGuire's also offers five of its own microbrews.

Although he grew up around McGuire's, Jim Martin made a detour before taking the reins of the family business. He first went to the University of Southern Mississippi to study business, drawing on his restaurant knowledge for management positions at the Pillsbury Restaurant Group and General Mills. Next he decided to pursue his culinary ambitions more seriously at the CIA. After graduation, he headed straight home, ensuring that generations to come will enjoy the top-quality fare at McGuire's.