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Lucinda's 20 BEST Markets & Food Festivals

Lucinda's 20 BEST Markets & Food Festivals

Wednesday 28 August 2019

DUBLIN

HOWTH MARKET
Located close to Howth DART Station, facing down the pier, this varied market, running on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, from 9am-6pm, is a big draw for day trippers. Think street food, organic produce, cakes, jewellery, clothing and antiques.
howthmarket.ie

HONEST2GOODNESS
Every Saturday from 9:30am-4pm, on Slaney Close in Glasnevin, H2G's fab natural food market has fresh meat, fish, veg, baked goods, chocolate and coffee. Check out their new Twilight Market on Thursday evenings, which features tapas style food, and a “regular sprinkling of top-class chef guests”.
honest2goodness.ie

TEMPLE BAR FOOD MARKET
From 10am-5pm on Saturdays, at Meeting House Square, this long-standing city market hosts a great array of producers and vendors. Also, the Temple Bar Night Market brings artists and craft makers to the fore, on Thursdays, from 2pm-8pm, May-September.
facebook.com

HERBERT PARK MARKET
From 11am-4pm on Sundays, Herbert Park Market in Ballsbridge draws the crowds with some great foodie fare, like Ambiorikx Belgian Fries or dumplings from Triad.
facebook.com

SUPER NATURAL FOOD MARKET
Get in early for this popular market in St. Andrew’s Resource Centre on Pearse Street. Open on Saturdays from 9.30am-3.30pm, it's one of Dublin's oldest and best – even Prince Charles has dropped by. Wicklow Way Honey are here with wild artisan honey, while Sunil’s Cafe is serving up chicken and veg curries as well as pastries.
supernatural.ie

THE GREEN DOOR MARKET
Closed on Mondays, The Green Door Market at the Bluebell Business Centre on the Old Naas Road in Dublin 12, has a huge variety of food as well as plants and environmentally friendly products. Grab a smoothie from Beo, and something sweet from Classic Crepes, before reeling in some of Fitzsimons Fish. Vendors vary daily.
thegreendoor.ie

BLACKROCK MARKET
Blackrock Market has been at the centre of Ireland’s new-wave foodie revolution. Ever since the tiny restaurant Heron & Grey earned its Michelin Star, it's been a hotspot. Heron & Grey have now parted ways, but Damien Grey stayed on with his fantastic Liath restaurant; while 3 Leaves Indian has been on every foodies to do list. Stallholders opening hours vary.
blackrockmarket.com

PEOPLE’S PARK MARKET
This Dun Laoghaire market, on Sundays from 11am-4pm, has great foodie fixtures including Wild About’s fab fresh jams; the Irish Charcoal BBQ; and The Truffle Fairy. There's a playground for the kids, and a classic bandstand, not to mention the Fallon & Byrne Tearooms.
dlrcoco.ie

SANDYFORD FOOD MARKET
On Fridays, from 11.30am-2pm, on the junction of Carmenhall Road and Ravens Rock Road, this buzzing food market has lots of eclectic street foods to revive the tecchie workers. You'll find Bratwurst’s sausages; Dos Burritos; Falafel Bite; Shaka Poke's fresh and tasty Hawaiian bowls, and more. The market moves to its summer location at the Stillorgan Luas from June-Sept .
irishvillagemarkets.ie

KILTERNAN COUNTRY MARKET
Celebrating its 55th birthday this year, Kilternan Country Market, which takes place on Saturday mornings from 10am-12pm, has regulars flocking for their seasonal fruit, veg and preserves, as well as delicious savoury goods and tasty baked treats too.
kilternancountrymarket.com

COUNTRYWIDE

MIDLETON FARMERS MARKET
On Saturdays, from 9am-1pm, in the centre of Midleton Town, in Co. Cork, there’s a fab farmers’ market. You'll find Ryan’s Arbutus Bread there, as well as the Ballymaloe Cookery School with its produce, not to mention Mike Barret’s Lobster Man stall.
facebook.com

ENGLISH MARKET
Established in 1788, this famous roofed food market in Cork’s city centre is steeped in history. Even HM Queen Elizabeth II has popped in to restock her larder! Open Monday-Saturday, from 8am-6pm, grab a slice of paradise at Heavenly Cakes or a smoothie from Fruit Boost, and don't miss the famous Farmgate Restaurant upstairs.
englishmarket.ie

A TASTE OF WEST CORK
September’s annual A Taste of West Cork Festival kicks off on the 6th, for ten days of culinary magic. There’ll be artists, writers and craftsmen galore, along with cookery demos, contests, tastings, trad sessions and more, as well as some fun events for the kids.
atasteofwestcork.com

BANTRY MARKET
Stacked with bric-a-brac and fresh produce, the Bantry Market takes place every Friday in the Town Square from 9.30am-1pm. There’s some great ready food too with Dan’s Donuts; The Badass Bbq; or Effi’s Kitchen, which specializes in falafel wraps. On the first Friday of the month, it gets even bigger, with cages full of hens and ducks often being sold as well.
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SKIBBEREEN FARMERS MARKET
Every Saturday, from 9.30am-2pm, “come hail, rain or shine”, you can head down to the Skibbereen Farmers' Market for fresh food, great music and lots of craic. West Cork is a region filled with artisanal inventiveness, and this is the perfect platform to showcase their skills.
skibbereenmarket.com

MILK MARKET LIMERICK
Running since 1852, the covered Milk Market is a great place to hover for a weekend, with live music at lunchtime on Fridays and their Family Relaxation Day on Sunday. But the big day for foodies is the Saturday Farmers' Market. Don’t miss Sefik Dikyar’s stall, offering fab Baklava, as well as his new fresh pomegranate juices, which have the rugby players queuing up.
milkmarketlimerick.ie

ENNIS FARMER’S MARKET
Every Friday from 8am, in Roslevean Shopping Centre on Tulla Road, the Ennis Farmer’s Market takes place in Co. Clare. Indulge yourself with Magic Mayan Chocolate, or a treat from the Sunflower Bakery, and browse the fresh organic veg, locally sourced meats, wholesome baked goods and more.
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GALWAY MARKET
This bustling street market on Church Lane in Galway has lots of great fresh produce and crafty bits. Open year round, on Saturdays from 8am-6pm, and on Sundays from 12pm-8pm – and, until the end of August, they’re also there on Fridays. Wind your way around the huge selection of foodie stalls like The Oysterman; Sheridans Cheesemongers; or The Happy Loaf; then grab a bite from Greenfeast Asian Street Food; Kappa-ya Sushi; or Yummy Crepes.
galwaymarket.com

STRANDHILL PEOPLE’S MARKET
Featuring lots of European and Asian Street foods, crafts and wares, and some entertainment coming by way of their Busker’s Corner, The Strandhill People’s Market, at Hanger 1 of Sligo Airport on Sundays from 11am-4pm, is certainly worth a visit. If the weather is good, fill your basket and have a picnic on the beach, which is just a few minutes' stroll away.
strandhillpeoplesmarket.ie

A TASTE OF DONEGAL
Taking place in Donegal Town from the 23rd-25th of August, the 11th Taste of Donegal promises to be a fab three day festival with 23 top chefs, including Neven Maguire, Brian McDermott, Kevin Dundon and Gary O’Hanlon, demonstrating their culinary prowess. There will also be more than 120 exhibitors bringing the best of Donegal to the fore, and great entertainment too. 
atasteofdonegal.com

lucindaosullivan.com

First Published In The Sunday Independent