Eddie Coleman, Cavan Chamber president and Joanne Hayes, tourism officer, at the launch of the launch of the Taste of Cavan Christmas market.

A Taste of Cavan Christmas Market opens

Sean McMahon

Published: Fri 16 Dec 2016, 12:24 PM

Last updated: Fri 16 Dec 2016, 12:29 PM

Embattled retailers, hit by weak Sterling and a potential exodus of shoppers North of the Border, are buoyed up with the news this week that the first-ever ‘Taste of Cavan’ Christmas market is set to attract visitors to the county town in their droves.

Up to a fifth more shoppers than is usual for the pre-Christmas season are expected to descend on Cavan Town from today (Friday) to sample the wares on offer at the Market Square.
Running for six days until Wednesday, December 21, the market is the first offshoot of the hugely popular ‘Taste of Cavan’ festival and is organised by Cavan County Council, in conjunction with the Cavan Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber President Eddie Coleman predicts that the festive market will boost footfall in the town centre by at least 20 per cent on other years.
The market will feature eight festive wooden cabins hosting local food and craft suppliers. On the Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday afternoons, there will be cookery demonstrations by leading Cavan chefs including Norbert Neylon of the Oak Rooms, Gearóid Lynch of The Olde Post Inn, Cloverhill, and BBC ‘Great British Menu’ star Eddie Attwell of St Kyran’s County House, Virginia.
Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Tommy Ryan told The Anglo-Celt that the market would help to generate a festive atmosphere around Cavan Town, with the eight stalls drawing custom into Cavan and complementing existing traders in the town. “This initiative will provide shoppers with yet another reason to make the trip into Cavan Town to shop local and avail of the fantastic offers our traders have on offer,” he said.

Free parking
The initiative in Cavan Town is further boosted by the provision of over 700 free carparking spaces from this Friday, December 16, right through until Tuesday, January 3.
The multi-storey carpark will be free from this Friday; while surface carparks in the town such as that as Tesco will be free from Saturday, December 17.
A two-hour maximum time limit will still apply and will be enforced. On street charges will still apply except for on Sundays and bank holidays.
The parking facilities at Breffni Park will also be available free of charge from this Friday, right up until Christams Eve, and Mr Coleman thanks the Cavan County Board for their generous initiative.