This article is from page 30 of the 2008-03-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 30 JPG
NEW facilities which will help pro- mote the increasingly popular farm- er’s market in Killaloe are being sought.
Local councillor, Tony O’Brien is to ask Clare County Council to cost the provision of facilities such as electricity, running water, signage and road markings for the site of Kil- laloe Farmers Market.
The call will go out to the council’s Director of Services at a meeting of the Killaloe area representatives of the council today.
“The market has become a very popular feature in Killaloe each
Sunday and I have met with some of the traders about their concerns and ways in which the market could be supported and improved,’ Cllr O’Brien said.
He added that those stalls which require power, such as hot food ven- dors and stalls which need chill ca- pacity for fresh food, are currently using generators.
“A power supply would be a big help to the traders and would help create a more pleasant atmosphere at the weekly event,” he said.
Farmers markets are becoming well supported countrywide as peo- ple become more aware of where their food comes from and buying
locally sourced and produced food gains in popularity.
“This is in line with Minister John Gormley’s recent statement about supporting local markets,” said Cllr O’Brien.
He added that he is “not asking the county council to pay for these facilities. just to cost them. Once we know what is involved, then we can look at what finances are available and maybe do some sort of scheme which involves input from the mar- kets vendors and whatever funding 1s available.”
The move to improve conditions for the market comes as Clare County Council finalises details of its desig-
nated casual trading areas.
The new by-laws on casual trad- ing will control where stall holders can set up and the area between the waters has been designated as one of these areas.
Meanwhile, Cllr O’Brien will also be chasing the local authority to check the water supply system in Killaloe to ensure there will be no further loss of supply like the one which affected homes in the town last week.
A leaking main was responsible, dumping 40,000 gallons a day into the ground.
“We can’t have this happening in the long term,” said Cllr O’Brien.