Buzzing new market in Tralee Town Square

TRALEE was well and truly gripped by the summer buzz last Thursday as the inaugural Tralee Square Market celebrated a sizzling debut in the town centre.

The square was buzzing as locals peeked their head in to shop or grab something to eat, and some were just happy to sit in the sun and listen to the dulcet tones of the amazing husband and wife pairing of Liam and Melonie Kelly.

The market, which is set to run from 10am to 6pm every Thursday until August 16, brings craft-makers, artisan food producers and bespoke retailers from all over Kerry together to help promote local businesses.

One business there on the day was John Paul O’Connor and Lorna Conroy of ‘An tOileán Beag’ who had travelled over from Killorglin to sell a number of Artisan food products such as cottage pie, Kinsale fish pie, seafood chowder, smoked salmon paté, chicken liver paté, carrot and coriander soup, and potato and leek soup.

“We’re the first of our kind to be started here in Ireland. It’s all artisan food, and we have plenty of low-calorie options as well for people. We’ll be here every Thursday if people want to stop by and take a look,” said John Paul.

“It [the new weekly market] will be another big addition to the town. We’re looking forward to coming back next week.”

The market is a new initiative from the Tralee Chamber Alliance, Kerry County Council, Taste Kerry and Street Performers of Tralee (SPOT) to bring business to the town centre.

All photos by Fergus Dennehy. Liam and Melonie Kelly brought a great buzz to the Square in Tralee last Thursday. Here, they are pictured performing at the inaugural Tralee Square Market that afternoon.

ABOVE: Helena Coffey, Kim O’Connell and Bridget Coffey pictured enjoying some of Dan’s Donuts at the inaugural Tralee Square Market on Thursday.

LEFT: John Paul O’Connor and Lorna Conroy of ‘An tOileán Beag’, pictured here selling some of their artisan food at the Tralee Square Market on Thursday.