This article is from page 70 of the 2008-08-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 70 JPG
THE popular Miltown Malbay week- ly farmer’s market is staying put for the foreseeable future.
Despite claims last week by a mar- ket member that accessibility to the market was problematic, it has been hailed as an ideal location with shop- pers and market officials coming out in support of Miltown’s newest shop- ping experience.
The farmer’s market found its home on the edge of the original Fair Green in the recently restored Miltown Business Centre in Miltown Malbay during the May bank holiday
weekend
Although it is just three months old it is already attracting locals and tourists to that part of town every Friday evening from 4.30pm to 7pm.
The stalls are set up on a Friday af- ternoon inside the original stonewalls which flanked the market green. The cobbled stone courtyard, with tradi- tional shop fronts and lighting, cre- ates an idealistic atmosphere for a vibrant, bustling, intimate market.
The colourful umbrellas of stall holders coupled with the delicious smell of fresh baking entice shoppers to browse among the stalls and many of them linger for the chat.
Local people are particularly pleased with the new market and Fri- day evenings in the Miltown Busi- ness Centre have become a regular, social gathering for many.
“Stall holders are pleased with the venue as the enclosed, Victorian style courtyard provides shelter from the west Clare weather while retaining the authenticity of an outdoor mar- ket. The stall holders are very grate- ful that the Miltown Business Centre welcomed them, free of charge to hold their market in such an ideal location,” said Hilary Gleeson, Rural Development Officer at EIRI Corca BE ONONEE
The market stalls provide a variety of fare such as farmhouse cheeses, sun dried tomatoes, home baking and confectionary, local vegetables, summer fruits, plants and delicious, hot crepes.
The new farmer’s market in the Miltown Business Centre is always encouraging more local food produc- ers especially vegetables, meat, poul- try and fish to join by contacting Ms Gleeson at 9056611 or 086 8235598 or local baker and stall holder Cora O’Grady on 087 1354192.