Home News Community Glorious sunshine and brisk trade as Laois’s newest market continues to impress

Glorious sunshine and brisk trade as Laois’s newest market continues to impress

It was all go at the Market House on Main Street in Stradbally this afternoon as the second session of Laois’s newest outdoor market was held.

After a successful debut last Friday, traders were delighted once again as punters arrived in great numbers to buy their produce.

The market, which begins at 1pm every Friday, is a collaboration between traders who used to frequent St Patrick’s Hall in Stradbally prior to Covid-19 and those in the Laois Farmers Market.

The home baked goods, vegetables, juice, honey, jewellery, jams, flowers and crafts.

Jason Barron, the hugely popular fishmonger from Bates Seafood of Kilmore Quay in Wexford, also sets up a stall.

While so too does Elizabeth Bradley of Carlow Farmhouse Cheese – who brings with her some of the most exotic cheeses and olives sourced from all over the world.

John Egan, who owns Ratheniska Farm Fresh, and was one of the driving forces behind the market, is delighted with how things have gone so far.

He said: “Everything has been a great success so far. We can’t believe the amount of people who have dropped into us over the last two weeks.

“All of the traders are happy and I think the customers are too because it is giving them great access to fresh and locally produced products.

“We really believe this market has the potential to continue to grow.”

Local Councillor Paschal McEvoy encouraged people to continue to support local.

He said: “There has been great activity at Market House here In Stradbally over the last two weeks with our very own country market.

“Beautiful fresh homegrown organic vegetables and lots of other products.

“I would urge everyone to please support. Shop local and you will not be disappointed.”

The restoration of the Market House, where the market is staged, was highly commended at this 2017 Irish Georgian Society Conservation Awards.

It was built as a memorial to Dr William Perceval, a respected local doctor who had died earlier the same year.

A brand new roof, pavement and associated works were carried out under the stewardship of renowned architect Richard McLoughlin.

SEE ALSO – The incredible story of how a Polish child with no English became a Laois teacher