The Avondhu

Food and craft market strikes a chord with the public

- JOHN AHERN

Outdoor events are effectivel­y free from the terms and conditions that must be enforced if you wish to hold something indoors.

If you can drum up support and get the rain to stay away, you have a great chance of success - so it was in Castlelyon­s last Sunday.

FINE CROWD

Free admission was another selling point for those who went along to the Castlelyon­s Christmas Market & Food Fair held in the car park of Fr. Ferris Community Field last Sunday.

The early morning broke damp with a thick drizzle and was extremely cold and it didn’t look as if the day was going to improve, as organisers hoped and prayed for an improvemen­t as a lot depended on a fine day.

By 10am at Fr. Ferris Park stallholde­rs had begun to arrive, setting up their stalls in their allotted positions and within an hour, a tented village of some 40 sales pitches were in place.

From noon to 3.30pm, there was a constant stream of visitors – the bulk of them from the Castlelyon­s catchment.

It was a relaxed and festive atmosphere as the public strolled between the various stalls, who were offering a wide range of goods and services.

A festive and very sociable atmosphere prevailed with many shoppers meeting friends for the first time in a long time as the air filled with chatter and laughter - a real happy, seasonal, community atmosphere was evident.

LOTS OF PLANNING

This was no ‘pop up market’ and a lot of time and effort went in to securing the stall holders and allotting them their trading zones. The good news for organisers was that the car park was completely taken up with traders – who seemed pleased with the level of footfall.

In total, over 2,500 people passed through the ‘tented village’, a staggering number well beyond anyone’s expectatio­ns.

DRAW WELL SUPPORTED

A draw with a first prize of a €500 Christmas hamper is always attractive and there was no shortage of takers last Sunday. There’s still time to get your ticket as this draw isn’t scheduled to take place until Tuesday, 21st December.

SINCERE WORD OF THANKS

In what are challengin­g times for anyone on the fundraisin­g trail, organisers of Castlelyon­s Christmas Market & Food Fair are very grateful for the public’s support. Those who subscribed can be assured their money will be well spent maintainin­g and developing the valuable amenity that is Fr. Ferris Community Field.

Congratula­tions must go to Anne Hegarty and Ann Barry who are responsibl­e for this event and for making it the magnificen­t success that it was, ably assisted by James Kenny who is predispose­d with invaluable organisati­onal skills, which were again evident.

Dialogue will commence with Avondhu Blackwater Partnershi­p early this week to discuss next year’s event and other options which presented themselves on the day.

 ?? (Pic: John Ahern) ?? Maura O’Sullivan and her daughters, Michelle Griffin and Bernadette Sice, who were among the large attendance at last Sunday’s Christmas market in Castlelyon­s.
(Pic: John Ahern) Maura O’Sullivan and her daughters, Michelle Griffin and Bernadette Sice, who were among the large attendance at last Sunday’s Christmas market in Castlelyon­s.
 ?? (Pic: John Ahern) ?? Organising committee member, Anne Hegarty with Ned Kearney at last Sunday’s Chrismas market in Castlelyon­s.
(Pic: John Ahern) Organising committee member, Anne Hegarty with Ned Kearney at last Sunday’s Chrismas market in Castlelyon­s.
 ?? (Pic: John Ahern) ?? Mother and daughter team, Siobhan and Jackie Clancy, who operated a stand at last Sunday’s Christmas market in Castlelyon­s.
(Pic: John Ahern) Mother and daughter team, Siobhan and Jackie Clancy, who operated a stand at last Sunday’s Christmas market in Castlelyon­s.
 ?? (Pic: John Ahern) ?? SUPPORTING LOCAL: Catherine and David Morrison who attended last Sunday’s Christmas market in Castlelyon­s.
(Pic: John Ahern) SUPPORTING LOCAL: Catherine and David Morrison who attended last Sunday’s Christmas market in Castlelyon­s.

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