New Fermoy Farmers’ Market on historic grounds
A new farmers market is set to take place on Saturday, October 10 amidst the harvest season.
In a setting like no other, the new farmers market will be held on the grounds of the old Presentation Convent located on Richmond Hill, Fermoy, hosted by Fiachra Ó Cinnéide and his wife, who recently purchased the building and the grounds.
The markets highly anticipated first day would have featured goods like freshly baked bread, artisan cheeses and preserves, handmade foods, bespoke jewellery and crochet, and as Fiachra says: ‘exceptionally dry firewood.’
Fiachra, who had been involved with the Killavullen Farmers’ Market for some years, told The Avondhu of his high hopes for the market and the recently purchased property.
“We’re very privileged and fortunate and we’re going to find some good use for the place. We feel a farmers market is one of many public events we can hold in this space,” Fiachra told The Avondhu.
ESSENTIAL SERVICE
While the entire country is now in Level Three lockdown, Fiachra said the market will go ahead and that they are compliant in terms of legislation and HSE guidelines.
The local superintendent has also been notified of the outdoor event and it is understood that the market is deemed an essential service.
The Presentation Sisters purchased the historical building in 1922 and operated as a convent, better known to the sisters as St Mary’s until its closure and sale early last year.
With 15 bedrooms, a large kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms situated on 6.8 acres, the landmark site has the potential to take on a new lease of life.
“I always felt Fermoy needed a farmers market, it’s a civic service that Fermoy is missing, there’s no real outlet for arts and traders in the town,” Fiachra said.
Traders attending the market will display their vast array of artisan foods and bespoke crafts at the first Fermoy Farmers’ Market this coming Saturday and the public are invited to come and view the stalls, subject to social distancing and public health guidelines.
Fiachra only received the keys to the property in the last week of August and plans for the place have been in the works ever since, if not before.
“I nearly have my hair falling out! We’re very busy, we’ve been planning this since we got the keys,”
“We’re incredibly excited to offer this to the people of Fermoy. Fermoy need’s a market and we will be delighted to host it. There’s been great positive feedback from people,” Fiachra added.
The public will be welcomed to the market Saturday and while it takes place in the grounds of the Presentation Convent, a historical and landmark site in Fermoy, as it is also private property, the gardens and convent surrounds are not open to the public.
Looking forward, Fiachra said there are also some big ideas in the works, but have yet to be fully conceptualised, as works, repairs and maintenance still need to be carried out to the building and its surrounds.
“We’ve no plans yet and it will be a huge expense to open to the public, but hopefully we’ll have some events there in the future,” he added.