Writes Ciaran Dineen
Over the last two weeks, Passage West has welcomed a new weekly market, with lots on offer for local residents and visitors from around the harbour area. The official launch kicked off on Saturday 13th April at 10am, with hot food, confectionary, coffee and crafts all available!
The market is held beside Father O’Flynn Park, and is already proving to be a great success. The idea to set up a Saturday market in Passage came from a collaboration of traders in the area, along with the ‘Passage West Creates’ brand.
Passage West Creates initially decided to open up a ‘Craft Shop’, which encouraged local artists and crafters to supply them with their own homemade items. Setting up a Farmer’s Market was always the dream for the founding members of Passage West Creates, which includes Councillor Marcia D’Alton (Ind). Getting food venders on board and encouraging local craft people to set up their own enterprising stalls was the priority according to spokesman for the Market, Chris O’Brien.
On Saturday last there were a total of eight stands on offer, with lots to choose from and next week there is set to be a total of nine venders present. Speaking to The Carrigdhoun Mr O’Brien said, “we really want to establish a destination market here in Passage. That would mean that on a Saturday morning people would wake up and plan to have us in their day. They might want to go for a cycle along the walk, grab a coffee and a bite to eat and stop off in the market.”
So far the market has been a fantastic success, with lots of positive feedback making its way back to Chris and other organisers. “In week one the people of Passage came out in their droves. All of our hot food was gone by 12 pm, with two hours of the market still to go! Even more came out this weekend, thanks to the beautiful weather we had. The most common conversation that I am having with local Passage people is their sentiment that ‘Passage really needed this’. That is fantastic from our point of view and we are all thrilled with the early success that the market is having.”
The market has been postponed this Saturday due to the weather but will take place on Sunday. Check it out on Facebook: @PassageWestMarket, Phone: 083-8997119.
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