Doo wah diddy, diddy dum, diddy do…..

The Doolin Saturday Market and Craft Fair has a new look, and a new attitude! We blame it on the weather, but we are smarter and prettier than ever, and anxious to show off!

On fine days some of our stallholders move outside the Russell Community Centre to display their crafts outdoors whilst enjoying the sunshine. And inside we have more stallholders than ever. Many of our favorite stallholders have returned from last year, and we also have attracted a number of food and craftspeople who will attend once or twice over the summer. That means that every time you come to the Doolin Market, you will have a different experience! On any given week you might see handmade organic leather bags, tanned and dyed without chemicals; knitted and crocheted children’s clothes; natural cosmetics, made locally with seaweed and other organic ingredients; willow chairs and baskets; jewellery, ceramics, photography, wood turning, and hand-spun and dyed yarn. The list is ever growing! Often we have craftspeople working away, doing leatherwork or spinning yarn, or making ceramic figures, and always available to answer questions about their craft!

We have also introduced a “Local’s Table” where writers and musicians who live in Clare can sell their books and CDs. So far we have been delighted with the talent of locals who have produced children’s books (Jennifer Hornsby), a Burren walking guide (Tony Kirby), a cookbook (Mary Sheehan), and a CD of Irish songs (Gerry Shannon). More goods from talented local writers and musicians will be displayed in coming weeks.

The Market looks great this season, thanks to Karl Hughes who has provided wall hangings, and also because of the success of the Lightning Strike Gallery, in the café area of the Market. Local artists of all stripes are exhibiting paintings, drawings, photography, tapestries, batik, and mixed media work, with a different artist exhibiting every week. Some of the artists who have exhibited so far include Corrina Schroeder von Frihling, Kathy Sambrook, Vicky Lennie, Ilsa Thielan, and Karl Hughes.

About half the stalls in the Market provide food and plants, including fruit and vegetables, houseplants and bedding plants, soups, salads, curries, local and European cheeses, breads, cakes, cookies, tea and coffee, and fresh cooked waffles. We have local certified organic vegetables that are in season and picked each morning. And we have ice cream, freshly made on a family farm in New Quay from the milk of a traditional breed of Burren cows!

The Doolin Saturday Market and Craft Fair takes place on Saturdays, through August at the Russell Brothers Community Centre, Doolin, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Russell Community Centre is located on the road between the village and the church.

To join our mailing list, contact Toby at doolinmarket@gmail.com.