By Lauren Heskin
08th Nov 2019
08th Nov 2019
Whether you’re in Dublin, Belfast, Galway, Cork, Limerick or Waterford, here are the pop-ups and markets to check out for gorgeous Irish gift ideas.
Listen, I don’t have a problem with the fake-snow-festooned Christmas markets that take over most Irish cities in November. I love a mulled wine and a few Christmas carols as much as the next gal. But they’re not really the place for all-out shopping. A Christmas decoration there, some homemade fudge here. But buying Irish Christmas presents for all your loved ones can be difficult, especially without the Dublin Flea Christmas Market this year.
Thankfully, so many makers are coming together in the build-up to Christmas to bring their beautiful, Irish-made wares to you. Festive markets and pop-ups are happening all over the country to show off the breadth of creative talent and help you to #shopIrish this Christmas.
So whether you’re in Dublin, Galway, Cork, Belfast, Limerick or Waterford, get these dates in the diary ASAP.
Conscious Christmas Store, Dublin
WHEN November 6-December 24
WHERE Fade Street, Dublin
TICKETS Free Entry
In the space that formerly held Hen’s Teeth, Irish eco brand Jiminy has teamed up with sustainable lifestyle store The Kind to create a Christmas pop-up with a difference. Featuring toys, games, crafts and gifts for all the family that are all kind to the environment, you’ll also be able to pick up eco-friendly wrapping and cards, crackers and even recycled Christmas trees.
Makers Market, Dublin
WHEN November 7-December 31
WHERE Om Diva, Drury Street, Dublin
TICKETS Free Entry
Om Diva will be busy as ever over the coming weeks as it welcomes 28 local and Irish makers into the Drury Street shop for Makers Market. You’ll find glassblowers Glint Glass, 29 Bride Street’s linen homeware and Kopper Kreation’s lighting, alongside the shop’s permanent design labels. Expect to pick up presents for others, and yourself.
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Union Café Pop-up, Dublin
WHEN November 24, 10-6pm
WHERE Union Café, Mount Merrion, Dublin
TICKETS Free Entry
With the absence of Dublin Flea Christmas Market this year, former vendors are coming together to help fill the void. Encouraging people to continue buying Irish, Kate Fine of Kate’s Sample Sale has organised not one but two pop-ups in the coming weeks. The first on November 17 in Ukiyo from 11am to 6pm, which will feature the likes of children’s toys from Guadalupe Creations, jeweller Shock of Grey and lifestyle brand Stencilize. For the second, Kate is working with silk scarf designer Debbie Millington to curate a one-day pop-up featuring fellow small businesses including jewellery designer Vivien Walsh, children’s fashion and accessories online shop Chaos + Harmony, beloved fashion brand Electronic Sheep, Kaiko Studio and so many more.
Three Hills Soap Company will be part of Union Café’s pop-up.
Crafts Christmas Craft Fair, Waterford
WHEN November 29
WHERE Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford
TICKETS Free Entry
The fair is just one part of Waterford’s wider Winterval festival, which runs from November 23 to December 23 with plenty of events for all the family including Christmas markets, tree lighting, musical soirees and tastings. One of the longest-running Christmas craft fairs, Waterford’s iteration celebrates its 36th year this year. Featuring 40 local makers selling handmade gifting options, you’re sure to find something here.
Food & Craft Gift Fair, Galway
WHEN November 30-December 1
WHERE Black Box, Galway City
TICKETS Free Entry
Kicking off the 8th annual Food and Craft Fair in Galway’s Black Box, this free weekend event brings together a wide variety of local food producers and stalls, as well as plenty of craftspeople from leather goods and ceramics to jewellery and decorations. There are also a number of workshops for children, including a Christmas card workshop and drop-in art classes.
Resin artist Ciara O’Neill will also be in attendance at the Black Box.
The Glucksman Craft + Design Fair, Cork
WHEN December 8-10
WHERE The Glucksman, University College Cork
TICKETS €5
Renowned as a hub for Irish craft and design, The Glucksman becomes a festive funhouse for one weekend before Christmas, welcoming craftspeople and shoppers into its award-winning gallery space. Attendees can expect the finest Irish designer gifts for a range of budgets and participating makers will be part of a special awards section, to be announced in The Glucksman on opening night.
Turf & Grain Christmas Market, Belfast
WHEN 7-10pm, December 12
WHERE St Thomas Parish Church, Belfast
TICKETS To be confirmed
The Belfast-based creative magazine is launching their own one-night Christmas market in Belfast on Thursday, December 12, and it’s a lovely way to spend a Thursday evening. It will include the likes of Kathryn Davey‘s naturally dyed homeware and accessories, linen clothing designer Kindred Collection and will include the launch of Sew Sadie, Kerri Todd’s collection of floral embroidered hoops, which she creates using her grandma Sadie’s needles.
While the event is free, it will be raising money through donations for Flourish NI, an anti-human trafficking charity. Kindred Collective will release a linen bag in collaboration with the charity and each Sew Sadie hoop sold will share proceeds with Shared Threads, a charity that sews reusable sanitary towels for girls in India.
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Eight Days of Christmas, Milk Market, Limerick
WHEN December 14-17, 21-24
WHERE Milk Market, Limerick
TICKETS Free entry
If you’ve ever walked through this famous food market in Limerick on any weekend, you’ll know how magical it can be. Now, they’re sprinkling a little bit of festive cheer over proceedings in the build-up to December 25 with plenty of fashion, food and children’s events running and a special craft fair on December 17 featuring artists, makers and creatives from across the county.
Ballymaloe Craft Fair, Cork
WHEN December 15-17
WHERE Ballymaloe, Co Cork
TICKETS €5, under 12s go free
Well established as a favourite Christmas fair, the Ballymaloe Craft Fair only gets bigger and better every year. As well as many wonderful Irish food and drink producers, mulled wine and children’s events, the event also hosts an impressive array of textiles, glassware, sculptures, art, woodwork, jewellery and leather goods in the Big Shed.
Featured photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
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