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Skibbereen Farmers Market
Charles 11 granted a charter to Skibbereen in 1688 allowing a market to he held and ever since has
been the commercial centre of West Cork. For 300 years fairs and markets were held in the
town, culminating with the annual horse fair on 15th August. In the mid 19th century, the
Townsend family gave the town a field known as ‘The Fair Field’ to keep the milling crowds of
animals and people off the street. In 1958 Cork Marts built a cattle mart on the site.
In the 20th century the market all but disappeared with only a few traders
selling their wares out of doors. The cattle mart moved out of town to a
new site, leaving a large empty space in the town centre.
Following a conference on the Globalization of Agriculture and the
demise of the family farm, a food and farming group in Skibbereen
called ‘Growing Awareness’ decided to revive the Saturday market.
Inspired by the success of Midleton Market, which pioneered the new
wave of local food markets in Ireland and blessed by the existence
of the old market rights and a large space in the centre of the town,
the new Skibbereen Farmer’s market has grown from a handful of stalls
in 2002 to over 100 in 2014.
As well as fresh food such as fish, pork and a wide array of vegetables, there
are lots of cooked foods such as pies, cakes and bread. Local cheeses such
as Gubbeen and Toonesbridge - the only Irish buffalo mozzarella - are available,
beside a vast array of imported cheese, olives, chocolate and other goodies.
Tables and chairs are laid out for customers and lots of hot food and drinks are
available. Where else could you get a Breton Crepe, a West Cork Beef Burger and
a Mediterranean Sambusak all for less than €5.00?
And, for really slow food, locally grown herb and vegetable seeds are available,
including many heritage varieties.
There are lots of craft stalls selling everything from Magic Mushrooms to Magic
Wands, Antiques and Bric-a-Brac. There are always several buskers playing
anything from Breton dancing music to classical violin concertos to traditional Irish
music. The market is a great family morning out, where can do your entire weeks food
shopping, buy presents to bring home and make a big difference to the local economy.
See you on Saturday. The market runs from about 9am to 2pm.
Kinsale Beach © Andrej Tornoczi
29
Charles 11 granted a charter to Skibbereen in 1688 allowing a market to he held and ever since has
been the commercial centre of West Cork. For 300 years fairs and markets were held in the
town, culminating with the annual horse fair on 15th August. In the mid 19th century, the
Townsend family gave the town a field known as ‘The Fair Field’ to keep the milling crowds of
animals and people off the street. In 1958 Cork Marts built a cattle mart on the site.
In the 20th century the market all but disappeared with only a few traders
selling their wares out of doors. The cattle mart moved out of town to a
new site, leaving a large empty space in the town centre.
Following a conference on the Globalization of Agriculture and the
demise of the family farm, a food and farming group in Skibbereen
called ‘Growing Awareness’ decided to revive the Saturday market.
Inspired by the success of Midleton Market, which pioneered the new
wave of local food markets in Ireland and blessed by the existence
of the old market rights and a large space in the centre of the town,
the new Skibbereen Farmer’s market has grown from a handful of stalls
in 2002 to over 100 in 2014.
As well as fresh food such as fish, pork and a wide array of vegetables, there
are lots of cooked foods such as pies, cakes and bread. Local cheeses such
as Gubbeen and Toonesbridge - the only Irish buffalo mozzarella - are available,
beside a vast array of imported cheese, olives, chocolate and other goodies.
Tables and chairs are laid out for customers and lots of hot food and drinks are
available. Where else could you get a Breton Crepe, a West Cork Beef Burger and
a Mediterranean Sambusak all for less than €5.00?
And, for really slow food, locally grown herb and vegetable seeds are available,
including many heritage varieties.
There are lots of craft stalls selling everything from Magic Mushrooms to Magic
Wands, Antiques and Bric-a-Brac. There are always several buskers playing
anything from Breton dancing music to classical violin concertos to traditional Irish
music. The market is a great family morning out, where can do your entire weeks food
shopping, buy presents to bring home and make a big difference to the local economy.
See you on Saturday. The market runs from about 9am to 2pm.
Kinsale Beach © Andrej Tornoczi
29
