Ho ho ho! Mayo North is going to be a hub of festivities, as the Christmas Market calendar is filling up rapidly. If you’re making your shopping list, be sure to include a trip to your local markets – as well as getting some beautiful individually crafted gifts, you’ll also get a lovely day out AND you’ll be supporting local businesses and jobs. Everyone’s a winner! Details of this year’s Christmas Markets in Mayo North are below, as well as booking details for those of you who may want to book a stall. There’s also some information on other general Christmas festivals and events.
Sunday 25th November: Kiltane Christmas Market (Geesala Community Centre, 12pm – 3pm)
Kiltane Christmas Market in Geesala has been running for a number of years and is always a wonderful success. All the monies raised are given back to a local community group or charitable organisation. As always you will get free mulled wine, tea and coffee.
This year Cafe Ceantar will be open so you can avail of their wonderful food.
Come out and join us, everybody welcome!
Cost per table: €20
For further details contact:
Caroline – 087 6697516 or Mary – 086 8674643
Thursday, 29th November: St Patrick’s College, Lacken presents: Cookery Demo Food Fair with Chef Joe Shannon (7pm)
A fun-filled night is guaranteed with Celebrity Chef Joe Shannon demonstrating some delicious dishes and you’ll enjoy discovering a variety of tasty treats and creative crafts for sale at the Christmas Craft Fair.
Doors open 7 pm.
Price: €15 per ticket
For more information, visit St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross on Facebook
Friday 30th November to Sunday 2nd December: Foxford Crafts Fair (Foxford Leisure Centre, 12pm – 6pm daily)
One of the biggest and best pre-Christmas markets in Mayo, the eclectic Foxford Crafts Fair returns again for 2018. This year it runs over three days and offers a huge selection of Irish arts and craft, including ironworks, wood crafts, seasonal foods, glasscraft, jewellery, Christmas decorations, paintings and lots, lots more. A sure place to pick up a gift for everyone in the family.
To book a stall: Call (094) 925 7684 or email [email protected]
Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December: Swinford Annual Christmas Market (Swinford Cultural Centre, 9.30am – 2pm)
This annual market offers a variety of high quality handmade products ranging from ceramics, jewellery and decorations, handmade greetings cards, wooden ornaments, winter woollies, and a selection of cakes, bakes and jams all made by local stallholders. You can also enjoy Christmas decoration workshops for children, and a local choir will be popping by to sing some festive songs. Santa will be in attendance handing out sweets and sharing Christmas cheer.
For more information, pop over to the Swinford Indoor Country Market Facebook page.
To book a stall: Call (087) 400 7045
Sunday 2nd December: Christmas Bazaar hosted by Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol (Hall of Scoil Padraig, Ballina, opposite Tesco, 12 – 4pm)
At this Christmas fundraiser event for the Gaelscoil, you can look forward to craft stands, home baking, face painting, carol singing, hot drinks, kids’ secret shop and of course the main man himself will be there to chat with with the children . . .
Also there on the day will be Swinford Photography, with their Christmas themed portrait package.
For further details on the event contact:
087 2528868 (Martina) or 089 4108158 (Marie)
Stalls are available at a cost of €20 each.
Sunday 2nd December: EWAC Enniscrone Christmas Market, 11 am – 5 pm
This one-day Christmas Market is being hosted by Enniscrone Women’s Activity Club in the Diamond Coast Hotel featuring lots of homemade crafts.
Contact [email protected] or Cora Connaughton at 087 666 2499 for further details.
8th and 9th December: Mistletoe Market (Old Military Quarter, Ballina, 12pm – 6pm daily)
Frosty Salmon Festival‘s Mistletoe Market returns again for its annual celebration of all things Christmas in Mayo showcasing the best of local arts, crafts and food in Ballina and surrounds. This year’s Mistletoe Market is hosted by Fifth Mayo Scouting group and takes place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of December from 12pm – 6pm under the canopy cover in the Military Quarter, off Pearse Street and beside the Market Square. Rain, hail or snow, it doesn’t matter as all are sheltered under the comfort of the market canopy and this amazing venue is sure to contribute to a truly festive atmosphere over the two days. Listen out for carol singers, festive tunes, and pick up some tasty bites to eat.
We’ll have more information on Frosty Salmon Festival 2018 on our website very soon!
To book a stall: Contact Ballina Tourist Office at 096 72800 or email [email protected]. Visit www.ballina.ie for updates!
All stall holders will be required to provide the Committee with a copy of their Public Liability insurance, and trader’s licence (if applicable). Irish-made crafts only please.
9th December: Knock Christmas Market (Knock House Hotel, 11am- 4 pm)
Take a stroll to Knock Christmas Market on Sunday, 9th December and soak in the festive atmosphere. You’ll be spoilt for choice of Christmas gifts here too.
With a variety of beautiful craft items on sale, you are sure to find your heart’s delight from Crochet, Wood products, Floral Arrangements, Knitted Items, Christmas Decorations and Baked Goods. More inspiration awaits in Canvas & Plaque goods, Cushions, Hand Paintings on Stone, Handmade Jewellery, Silk Scarves, Stainless Glass, Jams & Chutneys, Photography, Hampers and much more.
This year’s charity raffle is in aid of St. Vincent de Paul, Knock. Over 30 spot prizes can be won on the day, donated by our wonderful crafters.
For further information and to book a table at Knock Christmas Market:
Telephone: 086 8486924 (Leonie)
Email: [email protected]
Online: Knock Christmas Market on Facebook
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December: Crossmolina Christmas Market (The Courtyard, Enniscoe House, 10am – 6pm daily)
At this intimate Christmas Market in the beautiful old Courtyard you’ll find, true to Enniscoe’s strong food heritage, a great mix of food offerings as well as the best of local Irish craft. Be sure to go early so when you’re done browsing and shopping, you can wrap up warm and take in one of the looped walks around the estate and down by stunning Lough Conn, or pop into the charming Secret Garden Café for a warming coffee.
A great highlight of the Market is that Santa will be in attendance – he’s really looking forward to chatting with the boys and girls (and maybe trying one or two of the food crafts). Other events for children and adults to be confirmed – watch the North Mayo Heritage Centre Facebook page for updates. This is one of our very favourite Christmas markets in Mayo!
To book a stall: Space is available to stallholders selling food products and Irish-made crafts only.
Cost of stalls: €120 + VAT for the two days (including stall, electricity, two chairs and tea and coffee throughout the day).
Stall set-up: From 12pm – 9pm on Friday 14th December
For further information: contact Hugh at (096) 31809 or email [email protected]
Saturday 15th December, Ballycastle Christmas Experience (“The Shambles”, 5pm – 7pm)
Ballycastle gets into the festive spirit with the annual “Ballycastle Christmas Experience”, organised by BEO! – the Ballycastle Events Organisation.
This celebration of the spirit of Christmas will be held in the stunning setting of “The Shambles” and will feature Santa and Mrs Claus in their grotto, as well as the elves busy at work in their workshop ahead of the big day. There will also be a living crib with real animals there on the evening with live music and other entertainment also being provided. The very best of festive food and drink will also be on offer for all the family to enjoy.
This event is FREE! Any contributions to the donation box would be appreciated.
For more information about the Ballycastle Christmas Experience:
Telephone: 086 3225128 or email: [email protected]
Online: Ballycastle Co Mayo Facebook page
Other events:
24th & 25th November: Ballycastle Christmas Fair, Ballycastle Craft Shop & Resource Centre
The Ballycastle Christmas Fair and Raffle will take place in The Craft Shop & Resource Centre on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th November. Raffle tickets are on sale locally.
To book a table:
Phone: 086 8492070 or 086 3787551
If you are planning a Christmas market/fair for 2018 please drop us the details with a high res picture and short description to [email protected]
