Westport Christmas Markets to take place this weekend

Westport Christmas Markets to take place this weekend



Neill O’Neill
neilloneill@mayonews.ie

THE time for Christmas shopping has arrived, and this weekend you can get some extra special gifts, while supporting local businesses, at the Chamber of Commerce led Westport Shop ‘n Spraoi na Nollag free outdoor Christmas Market.
In a new location this year in the James Street Car Park, and also utilising the facilities at St Anne’s Boxing Club, up to 20,000 people are expected to attend the unique festive event, which will be held next Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 14, 15 and 16.
Plans for the market are now entering the final stages, in conjunction with Westport Town Council, Gnó Mhaigh Eo, Foras na Gaeilge, The County Development Board and other sponsors, and spaces at the traders stalls in the fully enclosed marquees and boxing club will be jam-packed with wooden carvings, handbags, soaps, stained glass, woollen goods, dolls, jewellery, clothing, foodstuffs and a whole lot more.
The new location has come about following feedback from retailers in the town after last year’s event, and there will be no Spraoi ‘na Nollag stalls outside of the upper level of the James Street Car Park.
Santa and his Disney friends will be on the Mall from 3pm on Saturday and children will have the opportunity to meet Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Elmo, Dora the Explorer, Scooby Doo, the Power Rangers and Thomas the Tank Engine. Gnó Mhaigh Eo will introduce them to the síog draíochta that will float around the margadh to grant wishes and good fortune.
Over the course of the three day markets, shoppers will have lots of live music to keep them entertained while they browse, as ceol beo agus siamsaíocht will be a large feature on the main stage in the James Street car park. Be prepared to be blown away by talent Ρitiúil in the form of córscoileanna, bell ringers, ceoltóirí and damhsóirí as well as storytellers, bards, and juggler Ciaran Sinclair to boot. Scoil Padraig’s National School Choir will open the festival on Friday morning at 11.30am, and this year new acts include Last Minute and Matthew Cabot, while Ain’t Misbehavin will bring an eclectic mix of jazz to the market atmosphere. The Clew Bay Pipe Band will be on stage on Sunday and to close the market the Westport Brass Band will perform at 5pm. Face painting will be available for free on both Saturday and Sunday and this year a lantern parade will take place on Sunday afternoon at 4.30pm.
Also new to this year’s Shop n’ Spraoi, Gnó Mhaigheo will host a Treasure Hunt involving the gnólachtaí of Westport le duais iontach.
Access to the event will be easily had through the adjacent walkways to the car park from Bridge Street at The Jester Pub, from James Street beside the C and C Cellular Vodafone shop and via the alleyway at Blouser’s Pub on upper James Street. There will be a unique array of products, services and culinary delights on offer to visitors, with artisan food and craft producers from right across the region planning to converge on this winter wonderland Christmas market.
For further information please contact Westport Chamber of Commerce on 098 27375.

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