Traders gear up for Christmas season

CHRISTMAS preparations are underway in North Clare as towns and villages up their game to keep people shopping local.
Lisdoonvarna will host its first ever Burren Christmas Family Fair in aid of local crèche, Cois Ceim, next weekend, while Ballyvaughan Christmas Market will take place over three weekends this year.
The Burren Christmas Family Fair takes place in the Town Hall in Lisdoonvarna on the weekend of December 4 and 5. Work began on the fundraiser back in February when the crèche’s chef got talking with some local parents.
Stephen D’Arcy explained, “The Government has slashed grants for crèches, making it difficult for the people who run them to keep them open and viable. I work as a chef in the crèche and I got together with some of the parents there to see if we could come up with something, which might raise a bit of money. Initially, we were just going to have a Santa’s Grotto but then it took off and now we are having the family fair.”
The fair will include 32 stalls from well-known businesses, including Linalla Ice Cream, the Aillwee Caves, the Burren Smokehouse, local pharmacies, flower shops, craft shops, chocolate shops and cafes.
“The response from businesses has been fantastic and it has created a nice buzz in the town and there is a good community spirit. Because it is a fundraiser, people have been very supportive.
“It can be a bit quiet this time of year in Lisdoonvarna, as there aren’t too many people up here now that the peak season is over, so it is good for business too,” Mr D’Arcy commented.
“We will also have a number of novelty stalls involving games so that people can have a bit of fun while they are doing their Christmas shopping.
“Outside we will have 10 to 12 market stalls, so we are hoping this will create a sort of Christmas village type of atmosphere. Of course, there will still be a visit from Santa, who has assured us that each child who visits him at the fair will get a good quality toy,” he added.
Among the other treats available will be hot towel shaves for men and there may be beauty treatments for ladies too.
“We will have an onsite crèche where people can drop in the kids to walk around the fair or have a cup of tea. The girls who work in the crèche are giving their time as part of the fundraising effort. There is free entry and car parking is free too,” Mr D’Arcy concluded.
Further north, Christmas treats will be available for even longer this year. The Christmas Market in Ballyvaughan’s Community Hall will run on three weekends before Christmas, starting on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5.
The Ballyvaughan traders will continue offering local, quality produce at the venue, while local craft traders and other local food producers promise to fill the hall with delicacies to tantalise the palette and offer clever gift ideas for the festive season.
Last year’s event was hugely popular with locals and visitors alike and this year, new traders will bring a wider choice to the Christmas Market.
For gift hunters, there will be a selection of natural aloe vera and bee products, glass lamps, glass jewellery, antique handbags, paintings, fridge magnets, keyrings, glass painted ornaments, fresh Christmas trees, silver jewellery, goat milk soaps, wreaths and fresh foliage table decorations, aromatherapy oils, handmade shell decorations, books, toys, musical instruments, photography and Fair Trade imports.
Fresh festive food will be abundant on stalls inside and outside of the community hall. Regular farmers’ market traders will offer seasonal vegetables and fruit, traditional home baking, including breads, cakes, biscuits and confectionary; locally produced cheeses, honey and fruit wines; handmade preserves such as jellies, pickles, chutneys, flavoured oils, jams and sauces, as well as plants and flowers for both inside and outside the house specially suited to the winter season.
Other food producers will bring quality olive oil, wines, food hampers, gluten-free festive fare, dips, Glühwein, bagels, Christmas cakes, Christmas puddings, mulled wine and relishes.
There will be no need to leave the market to feed the family, as freshly cooked specialities will be available from many stalls.
Once again this year, the Christmas Café will be sited inside the community hall to offer a selection of hot soup and spicy chilli, quiche, cakes, scones, buns and hot drinks each day to consume in the market while soaking up the festive atmosphere, along with fish and chips, burgers and hot dogs served hot from the grill.
Each market day will start at 11am and finish at 5pm. For more information, log on to www.ballyvaughanfarmersmarket.ie or contact Finola on 087 955 9616 or Tracey on 087 2911092.