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Be Our Guest
Learn to Haggle at the Markets
Dublin Flea Market
Taking place on the last Sunday of every month,
Dublin Flea has become something of an
alternative institution in the city. A non-profit
enterprise, you’ll find everything from vintage
clothes to retro furniture, old vinyl, second-hand
bikes, wacky bric-a-brac and top-notch coffee
spread over 60 or so stalls, not to mention a
healthy brunch. The monthly market takes place
at the indoor Co-op on Newmarket Square
(Dublin 8), and the atmosphere is further kindled
by DJs, live bands or whatever they can throw
together on the day to keep the folks entertained.
Nice.
English Market, Cork
Where else? Cork prides itself as the culinary
capital of Ireland and this marvel of a market
is the jewel in its crown. Though dating from
1788 (it was created by the ‘English’ corporation
that controlled the city at the time), the market
won fresh fame when Queen Elizabeth visited
in 2011. Her Majesty famously enjoyed a good
chuckle with fishmonger, Pat O’Connell, and a
resultant photo encapsulated the vibrancy of the
market and the spirit of Cork City. Along with fish,
you’ll find every kind of meat, olive, fudge and
cheese known to humanity here – and stonking
good food in the Farmgate Café too. The aisles
are very narrow, so pick your moment.
St George’s Market, Belfast
There’s been a market on this patch of Belfast
since 1604 – giving stalwarts like Cork’s English
Market and Barcelona’s Boqueria a run for their
money. The current building dates from the
1890s, and you’ll find all sorts of yummy fruit,
fish, vegetables and more racked up at some
250 stalls among the steel columns... not to
mention antiques and bric-a-brac. “Probably the
best market in Northern Ireland,” is Discover
Northern Ireland’s verdict, and it’s hard to argue
with that.
Milk Market, Limerick
Showing form for over 150 years, Limerick’s
Milk Market has used a stunning recent revamp
to propel itself right to the forefront of Ireland’s
foodie scene. While the city itself isn’t exactly
famous for its food, the canopied market
hosts a smorgasbord of Irish cheeses, fish,
seaweeds, sausages, jams, chutneys, breads
and meats. That’s not all however. Beyond the
slick interior, you’ll still find the eclectic (and
frankly, a little bit mad) selection of stalls that has
made Cornmarket Row such an attraction for
generations. Spark plugs? Tayto? Leather belts? It
does live music, too.
HAGGLE
Learn to
at the best of Irish Markets