New Cottage Market for Laois

20 Cottage Markets are set to open in towns across the country this year as a result of the ‘Cottage Market’ initiative unveiled by GIY and supported by Ulster Bank and The Ireland Funds.

 

Last month community groups from across the country were invited to apply to the initiative for funding in order to establish and run their very own Cottage Market. 20 groups have been successful in their applications and they will now be awarded with a tailor made training programme, which will provide them with the skills they need in order to firmly place fresh homegrown and homemade food back into the hearts of their communities.

 

The twenty new market locations include Ballyconnell in Cavan, Kildorey in Cork, Minane Bridge in Cork, Moville in Donegal, Raheny Dublin, Galway, Galway, Portumna in Galway, Cathair Saidhbhin in Kerry, Tralee in Kerry, Newbridge in Kildare, Callan in Kilkenny, Mountrath in Laois, Pallasgreen in Limerick, Kilmallock in Limerick, Claremorris in Mayo, Coolshanagh in Monaghan, Birr county Offaly, Nenagh in Tipperary and Waterford City.

 

The teams behind the 20 new markets will later this month undertake a training course at GROW HQ in Waterford, GIY’s Food Education Centre and home to the GIY movement. Each group will also receive funding towards marketing, insurance and set up equipment costs.

 

In Laois organiser’s behind the market say that Mountrath was built as a market town by the Coote family and through out its history there has always being fairs and markets held in the town. There was a strong tradition of local families producing vegetables, eggs, baked products and handcrafts such as embroidery and after talking to some of the producers behind these producers they say that they would love to pass their expertise on and see the market revived.

 

Commenting at the announcement of the 20 new Cottage Market’s GIY’s Community Manager Karen O’Donohoe said, “We are delighted to help open 20 Cottage Markets across the country this summer, our call out to communities in Ireland for applications was successful, and we were very impressed by the vision and quality of the applications, it is wonderful to see such a huge interest in growing, creating and selling local produce right across the country.”

 

According to GIY a Cottage Market differs from a Farmer’s Market concept in that it is all about bringing hobbyists and amateur producers from a local area together to showcase their often hidden skills and talents in areas such growing, sewing or baking.

 

For further details on each of the existing Cottage Markets see http://thecottagemarket.ie/ and for news of the new markets and details of the opening dates follow @GIYCottageMarket on social media.

About GIY:

GIY (Grow It Yourself), founded in 2008 by Michael Kelly, is a not for profit social enterprise based in Waterford that inspires, trains and supports people to grow and cook their own food at home, school, work and in the community. Its core mission is to reconnect people with good food and help them to live healthier, happier and more sustainable lives. With over 150,000 GIYers growing fresh and seasonal food within 5,500 community food groups in Ireland and the UK people are taking up the call to positive action and joining GIY’s ‘Food Empathy revolution’.