Top class foodie fare on show as local Irish Farmers Market gets underway tomorrow

There will be a big emphasis on keeping everyone safe and secure when the market comes to the beautiful grounds of Mountain View, near Ballyhale, tomorrow from 11am.

The market, which will be a regular Sunday attraction at Mountain View over the summer months, will showcase craft products as well as wonderful local food – and creative ways to cook it.

Attractions will include cookery and craft demonstrations with, once a month, an interesting culinary twist. Two chefs from local restaurants will each be given a stall and asked to create a menu from food bought in the market that day.

Irish Farmers Markets Director Sean McArdle said he is “thrilled” with the hugely positive response from local food and crafts producers.

“The reaction has been amazing and we’re really looking forward to welcoming people to Mountain View, which really is the perfect setting for the Farmers Market,” said Sean.

“Kilkenny and the South East are blessed with an abundance of top quality producers and this will give them a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talent and produce in a safe and crowd-friendly environment that everyone can enjoy.”

Sean acknowledged it has been an “incredibly difficult time” for the food and hospitality sector over the past few months, but he praised the huge effort many producers have been making to adapt to the new circumstances. He said the Kilkenny Farmers Market is a good example of the Irish spirit of survival that will ensure our innovative producers have a bright future ahead.

Mountain View is the perfect setting for a family day out with ample free car parking and adventure walks around the 120-acre site.

The organisers have gone to great lengths to ensure families will feel safe and secure. All stalls will be set two metres apart, with customers at a two-metre distance from the front of each stall. Staff on the stalls will be wearing visors and gloves and contactless transactions are being encouraged.

Queues will also respect the two-metre rule, with a one-way system in place, attendants in the market to help people with shopping and information, and staff at the entrance selling masks and other personal protection equipment. Hand-wash stations will be available throughout the market area.

There will be more than 30 stalls at Mountain View tomorrow, serving an indoor and an outdoor market .

The outdoor market will have larger stalls selling local food and produce, ranging from fresh fruit and free-range steaks to falafel and kebabs.

The indoor market will showcase craft, art and cookery skills, with demonstrations from local restaurants, hotels and craft societies.

The farmers’ market will be at Mountain View (pictured below) tomorrow and every Sunday throughout the summer from 11am to 4pm.

Bee O’Grady, who runs the exclusive Mountain View events and wedding venue with her brother Michael O’Neill, welcomed the market to the beautiful setting in the rolling hills of south Kilkenny .

“Everyone loves a day out at the market,” she says. “And I think we have the perfect venue for it.”

Among the many attractions, stalls at Mountain View on Sunday will feature bakery, crepes, sourdough bread, handmade chocolates and a large selection of artisan Irish cheeses

Among the local producers who will have stalls at this Sunday’s market include:

*Tom and Ollie: Mediterranean olives and food;
*Sinead Bakery: Homemade cakes and goodies;
*Zero waste market place: Environmental products;
*Mini Donuts:
*Geraldine Walsh Paintings;
*Nathen Broderick: Craft Jewellery;
*Aish Patisserie and French Crepes;
*Aran Bakery: Sourdough bread;
*Rivesci; Handmade condiments;
*The Good Habit: Herbal teas;
*Cheryl O Neil: Siorghlas glass art;
*Bart van Buggenhout: Handmade chocolates;
*Itzoona: handmade clothes;
*Vilina Faith: handmade soaps;
*Niamh Mather: Cup cakes;
*JB Crafts: Handmade candle makers;
*Tracy Massy: Handmade woodcraft;
*M O’Driscoll: Handmade jewellery;
*Anna Ward: Local strawberries;
*Hell’s Kitchen: Free range Irish meat burgers and sausages;
*The Hartrey Kitchen: Indian vegetarian food;
*The Bula Bus: Mexican food;
*Malone Fruit Farm: Homemade jams and chutneys;
*Olivia’s Yummy Treats: Gluteen-free dairy free food;
*Lesley Crichet: Knitted crafts;
*Lorraine: Chemical-free local fresh fruit and vegetables;
*Lebanese street food;
*Eco straws environmental stall;
*Nature’s Elixir: Herbal tea infusions;
*Hog roast;
*Paella street food stall;
*Organic Delights: Irish organic fruit veg;
*The Truffle Fairy: Handmade chocolates.