Local producers to feature at Galway Christmas market

The Galway Continental Christmas market will include a new attraction this year -- an artisan food and craft market arena called ‘Christmas Market Big Top’ where people can engage in workshops.

Located on the green of Eyre Square, the market started last year and drew over 600,000 visitors. It includes gifts and fashion as well as delicacies from around the world including Gluhwein, Polish sausage and Belgian macaroons.

According to Maria Moynihan Lee, producer of the Galway Continental Christmas Market, it will be bigger and better than last year with over 70 wooden chalets filled with festive goodies from local and European traders.

The interactive workshops in the big top will include cheese and wine tasting classes and fashion shows and there will be story telling sessions in Santa’s grotto.

Good for local business

Paul Faller, chairman of the Galway City Business Association said the event was being organised to attract extra visitors to the city.

“Last year over 130,000 people stated that the main reason for visiting Galway was to see the market. The purpose of this event is to attract visitors to our city, so that retailers, hotels, restaurants, guest houses and pubs will benefit from their spending power.

"Galway cannot just sit back and hope visitors will come to Galway. We need to create attractions for our city and market it as a destination for a winter break.  This Christmas market will lead to securing employment in the city.”