Farmers' Markets

Farmers’ Markets

Rich steaming hot apple juice made from local organic apples, glistening oysters served with crisp white wine, and an abundance of farmhouse cheese and local salamis – the Irish farmers’ market has come a long way, and is now a bedrock of local community and social life life. This where you can try real authentic Irish street food with an artisan twist, as people picnic in the sushine and snack on the go. Aside from the excellence of the food, what makes visiting a farmers’ market on the island such a uniquely enjoyable experience is the conviviality, the bustle and the hum of chat that fills the air – you might come for an hour, and find yourself there the whole day. And why not.

City Markets

Dublin city life erupts with a riot of colour, fabulous aromas and good-humoured banter at the Temple Bar Food Market, in the heart of the city’s cultural quarter every Saturday. There’s grade-A oysters from County Clare, Corleggy cheese, and homemade Irish breads and cakes. And if you’re in the city, and you want a taste of old-school Dublin, then head along to Moore Street. It’s not a ‘farmers’ market’, but it’s typically Dublin, with horse-drawn delivery carts and colourful characters all the way. Built in the late 19th-century, Belfast’s award-winning St George’s Market gives a real taste of traditional and modern life in the city. It’s a treasure trove for gourmets. Things are equally historic at Cork’s much celebrated English Market, which is one of the oldest of its kind in the world, dating back to 1788. And that’s not all, Church Lane Market in Galway and Limerick’s Milk Market all draw the crowds thanks to their diverse artisan stalls.

Rural Favourites

Around the island, things are just as diverse and distinctive. Midleton Farmers’ Market, which began 10 ten years ago has a deserved reputation for being one of the best places to source artisan Irish food. Ballymaloe Cookery School has a stall here, and you’ll also find Frank Hederman’s award-winning smoked salmon. At Carlow Farmers’ Market you can get stuck in to everything from chocolates to cheese, while Tyrone Farmers’ Market stirs up the local gourmet scene on the first Saturday of every month.