Ballydehob's food and craft producers are going ‘al fresco'

A PRODUCERS' market in Ballydehob is going al fresco.

Carmel Waddy, the president of Ballydehob and Schull Irish Country Women's Association, confirmed that the weekly market – which is usually held in the Community Hall at the entrance to Ballydehob village – will have an added dimension this year.

‘We decided to utilise the new plaza adjacent to Ballydehob's colourful community facility known as Bank House so that visitors to the area will be attracted to both the outdoor and the indoor market.'

Carmel said the weekly producers' market, which has been running for more than 20 years, offers a huge variety of goods – everything from home produced jams, chutneys, and baking to an incredible variety of local vegetables, and a great selection of craft items.' The market is held every Friday during the summer months from 11am until 12.30pm.

Carmel described it as ‘a highly social event because people come to town on Friday especially for the market. Over the years, we have noticed that it is also attracting more and more tourists who are keen to have an authentic experience of life here.

‘We, as members of the ICA, are proud to continue the long tradition of hosting markets in our area and believe that by taking it out on to the street at the Bank plaza, we are replicating the success of the outdoor markets that are being held in towns and villages all over West Cork.

‘Ballydehob has always had a history of outdoor markets.Some of our older residents recall how they would buy fish and meat every Thursday from a stall where the imposing statue of Danny O'Mahony now stands.'