Ireland’s farmers’ markets

Rich steaming hot apple juice made from local organic apples, glistening oysters served with crisp white wine and an abundance of farmhouse cheese and local salamis – the Irish farmers’ market is a bedrock of local community life. This is where you can try real authentic Irish street food and drink with an artisan twist, as people picnic on a sunny day and snack on the go.

“Farmers’ markets make an incredibly important contribution to the Irish food scene; local people growing and selling their produce is a completely different shopping experience that reconnects people with food,” reveals renowned celebrity chef and cookery school owner Darina Allen.

The bottom line is that when you buy something at a farmers' market in Ireland, chances are that the person who's grown it is nearby, if not right in front of you. “Hours can be spent wandering from food stall to stall meeting proud local producers who can tell where and when your vegetables were picked, and how to cook them to perfection,” says Grace Cox from LoveIrishFood.ie. “You might start out with a small bag, but you'll find you can leave with it filled to the brim.”

Craft stalls often sit alongside food and baked goods, with natural soaps, handmade jewellery and art becoming a common feature as the original concept of a farmers' market has grown. The good news is that all around the island, on any given day, there’s a market going on, whether in a big city Victorian space or a small village gathering. Either way, you can expect a heady buzz of scents, sounds and tastes.