Call to support your local markets

Nenagh Country Market celebrates 60th anniversary

Nenagh has a long and proud tradition of supporting local markets.

It was founded as a market town; An tAonach is the historical market of the Munster men.

The great benefit of local markets is that the produce is made locally at home. The food is not processed, it does not have air miles and is freshly made. All home-cooked produce must be inspected by the HSE Environmental Health Department and must have HSE approval.

There are two markets in Nenagh.

The Country Market, which operates from the New Institute, is part of the Irish Country Markets Limited. Founded in 1946 by the Irish Countrywomen's Association and the Irish Homespun Society, Country Markets Ltd has a longstanding tradition of empowering members and building stronger communities.

Currently the market is held in the New Institute located at the junction of Friar St and Abbey St every Friday morning from 8am to 1pm. In order to sell at the New Institute, you must join the Irish Country Markets Association and be approved by the local management committee.

Founded in 1964, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Nenagh Country Market. There is a wide range of local home-produced products on sale including cakes, bread, eggs, flowers, jams, chutneys, honey, ready meals, such as salads and curries, and a wide range of beautiful seasonal flowers, as well as crochet crafts and knitted clothing. Products are seasonal and all are freshly made to be sold on the day.

KENYON ST MARKET

The Kenyon St Market located at Teach an Léinn is part of the town market tradition, which stretches back to the medieval period when farmers would bring produce to the market. Outdoor markets historically played an important role in the commercial life of the town. Farmers came to sell their produce to the town folk. Fairs and markets brought together people from different social backgrounds and played an important part in the development of towns and villages throughout Ireland.

Currently the market in Kenyon St, which operates on Saturday mornings from 8am to 1pm, provides an opportunity for local people to sell any home produce and with no weekly fee, anyone is entitled to set up and offer produce for sale.

At this time of year, the market is buzzing with a whole variety of stalls offering a wide range of homemade and handmade products. Every week there are stallholders selling soap, Lego, jewellery, plants, local honey, eggs, a range of home baking, ready meals such as salads and curries, jams, chutneys, crochet goods, artwork, flowers and a whole lot more to meet the needs of every family member, from young to old.

Local markets depend on local people to support them and keep them alive. They provide an opportunity for people to meet and talk with the producers and discuss their produce and build friendships. They are a social outlet and a way to connect with people in a family friendly environment.

Supporting the local markets is a way of supporting your community, enabling small producers to establish an economic foothold and is a sure way to eat healthy, unprocessed local food. There are no downsides to shopping local and supporting local producers.

Local producers rely on you to keep them going; with your support the markets will grow and thrive. Shop local, support local, grow local.