Christmas Market

dr.bollocko · 22-11-2014 9:44pm #1

Has kicked off again!

Open yesterday and had to head straight for corn dogs and that lovely mulled wine with a little rum. Take the edge off of the week.

Picked up a garlic grater and some seafood paella tonight. The paella was excellent I thought.

Also heard my first fairytale of new york of the year.

It is a little pricey - large paella was 10 euro. Burgers I think are 5 as are the frankfurters. But it's nice to have it back and I always miss it when it's gone.

(Is there already a thread about this? If so sorry biko but I couldn't find it!)

thesandeman · 22-11-2014 9:59pm

The cake thingys in the stall beside the beer tent look lovely but 7 quid a slice is a bit over the top.
The paella stall don't seem to be pushed about selling the veg option this year on maybe they just forgot to get a sign made up.

Mrs OBumble · 22-11-2014 10:06pm

All the Lidl stalls up the top seem weird. I know they're a German company and all, but ahhh, not really market material.

Rest seems normal though, didn't spot any interesting new stalls. And disappointed that the bakery place has changed its product lines.

CrowdedHouse · 22-11-2014 10:18pm

Are the Chimney Cakes back?

El_Dangeroso · 22-11-2014 10:29pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

All the Lidl stalls up the top seem weird. I know they're a German company and all, but ahhh, not really market material.

Rest seems normal though, didn't spot any interesting new stalls. And disappointed that the bakery place has changed its product lines.

Yeah I thought the Lidl thing was weird too, but they are only there for a week according to one of the stall workers, it's a roadshow thing that they are taking around the country.

Chimney cakes are there too.

Same stalls this year but I do think the layout is a bit better, really does add to the atmosphere, feel all christmassy now!

thesandeman · 22-11-2014 11:43pm

The LIDL thing is finishing tomorrow. Got loads of samples off them. Had to lick the stamp off my hand before every wine though. Pity they don't have cheese samples.

joeKel73 · 23-11-2014 5:22pm

Lidl have really cornered the Christmas market this year. (I'll get my hat...

)

Thought Lidl made a great effort to be fair. Nice to have a cheap option - bbq'd burger or hotdogs were just €2 each. Hot chocolate with marshmallows for €1. I'd say it was welcome by parents with a few hungry mouths.

Chimney Cakes are back! Big queues though, some neighbouring stands getting blocked off with the queue yesterday.

JohnCleary · 23-11-2014 11:11pm

As said above, well done to LIDL, they nailed it. Free samples, decently priced items etc..

I said jokingly to the guy "Your competitors must be delighted ye're here" he just started to grin

Also, a portion of Pistachio nuts for 60cent with a free sample of mulled wine... jaysiz ya couldn't bayte it with a stick.

Pitty they're not hanging around for the whole thing

On a side note, got a laugh out of a typical stingy foreigner. Went up to the LIDL mulled wine stand "ummm how much vree vine do ve get". Yer one gave him a scoury look and said 'strictly 1 per purchase', as she proceeded to hand me 2

Dirty foreigners!

Links234 · 24-11-2014 1:08am

Missed LIDL unfortunately

I'm slightly addicted to the macaroons from the french bakery, those are absolutely delicious, hopefully I won't go as mad on them as I did last year.

Tokyo · 24-11-2014 1:26am

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

Are the Chimney Cakes back?

Yup! They had them there today on the north-east side of the square.

challengemaster · 24-11-2014 1:31am

First time I've bothered having a wander around it - won't waste my time next year. Not a whole lot actually there considering the amount of space.

dr.bollocko wrote: »

It is a little pricey

It's extortionate.

€2 for one macaroon.

ONE. IMHO every single food place is pricing themselves out of the market (apart from LIDL going by whats said on here, there was nobody at their food stall earlier).

thesandeman · 24-11-2014 2:30am

Links234 wrote: »

Missed LIDL unfortunately

You might have another chance. They are doing today (Monday) as well from 3-8.
Has anyone spotted their charity boxes for Barretstown? I wanted to throw something in the other night seeing as they fed and watered me but I couldn't find them.

JONJO THE MISER · 24-11-2014 2:34am

thesandeman wrote: »

You might have another chance. They are doing today (Monday) as well from 3-8.
Has anyone spotted their charity boxes for Barretstown? I wanted to throw something in the other night seeing as they fed and watered me but I couldn't find them.

Thats lunch sorted for tomorrow so.

thesandeman · 24-11-2014 2:56am

Was thinking breakfast myself. Tis like a German Tapas bar.

AppleD · 24-11-2014 11:53am

Is this at Stephens Green or down at IFSC?

Tokyo · 24-11-2014 11:56am

AppleD wrote: »

Is this at Stephens Green or down at IFSC?

Home > Region > West > Galway City > Christmas Market

greenbicycle · 24-11-2014 11:56am

AppleD wrote: »

Is this at Stephens Green or down at IFSC?

Neither, its in Galway

AppleD · 24-11-2014 12:06pm

Ah here I should go back to bed.. Ah well as a Galway girl I'll be visiting this market too.

Redhairedguy · 24-11-2014 12:56pm

AppleD wrote: »

Ah well as a Galway girl I'll be visiting this market too.

Try the corndogs!

joeKel73 · 24-11-2014 3:10pm

challengemaster wrote: »

€2 for one macaroon.

That's a macaron, not macaroon.

Macaroons were €1.50 I think.

bigpink · 24-11-2014 4:48pm

I didn't give the lidl stalls a chance so it seems thought it was just a pr excerise.Overall was very disappointed with it first time going 3 of the same hotdog burger stands,mull wine bar rude staff and music blaring out and it served in a stupid tall glass not designed for hot drinks

challengemaster · 24-11-2014 4:59pm

J o e wrote: »

That's a macaron, not macaroon.

Macaroons were €1.50 I think.

It was a typo, however

In reality, the word macaroon is simply the English translation of the French word macaron, so both pronunciations are technically correct depending on personal preference and context

Storm 10 · 24-11-2014 5:19pm

Took a stroll through the market yesterday and I find it very disappointing there are way to many food stalls and just a few selling Christmas stuff, if I owned a restaurant in the City I would be pretty peeved off at all the food stalls, no way is it a Christmas Market.

spottybananas · 24-11-2014 6:39pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

Took a stroll through the market yesterday and I find it very disappointing there are way to many food stalls and just a few selling Christmas stuff, if I owned a restaurant in the City I would be pretty peeved off at all the food stalls, no way is it a Christmas Market.

Some food stalls in a busy cold market aren't going to make much of a dent in restaurants 2-3 course dinner sales in fairness. If anything the market is likely to pull more people in who will eat something small at the market and then go for dinner somewhere else later. I prefer lots of varying food stalls than lots of stalls selling Christmas tat.

joeKel73 · 24-11-2014 6:47pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

Took a stroll through the market yesterday and I find it very disappointing there are way to many food stalls and just a few selling Christmas stuff, if I owned a restaurant in the City I would be pretty peeved off at all the food stalls, no way is it a Christmas Market.

I only go to the market for the food and drink. Would be happy out if they made it a Christmas Food Market.

biko · 24-11-2014 8:00pm

Had the chicken paella, large was €8
Was ok, kinda what I expected.

dr.bollocko · 24-11-2014 11:11pm

J o e wrote: »

I only go to the market for the food and drink. Would be happy out if they made it a Christmas Food Market.

The food is what brings you back. All the other stuff is sorta crappy. Though I did buy that garlic mincing saucer. Used it twice since. It's fecking great.

Das Kitty · 24-11-2014 11:34pm

dr.bollocko wrote: »

The food is what brings you back. All the other stuff is sorta crappy. Though I did buy that garlic mincing saucer. Used it twice since. It's fecking great.

It makes a great job of ginger too.

thesandeman · 25-11-2014 2:52am

Das Kitty wrote: »

It makes a great job of ginger too.

I'm thinking of reporting this to Redhairedguy.

Redhairedguy · 25-11-2014 8:19am

thesandeman wrote: »

I'm thinking of reporting this to Redhairedguy.

My ginger sense was tingling the second the words were posted...

Das Kitty · 25-11-2014 9:04am

Redhairedguy wrote: »

My ginger sense was tingling the second the words were posted...

I'd say you're not adverse to being ground, RHG. :pac:

Redhairedguy · 25-11-2014 11:08am

Only when I'm especially bold... Like, wooden spoon bold...

bigpink · 25-11-2014 2:12pm

Thought the food options were boring and not that many

As i said 3 of the same bbq burger and hotdog stalls,the paella seemed good alright and a bakery stall

beardybrewer · 25-11-2014 2:23pm

Is the corndog guy back yet?

25-11-2014 2:24pm

dr.bollocko wrote: »

The food is what brings you back. All the other stuff is sorta crappy. Though I did buy that garlic mincing saucer. Used it twice since. It's fecking great.

I was pondering buying it. Now I wish I had :P

Links234 · 25-11-2014 2:24pm

beardybrewer wrote: »

Is the corndog guy back yet?

Yup

Das Kitty · 25-11-2014 2:24pm

beardybrewer wrote: »

Is the corndog guy back yet?

Yes

Links234 · 25-11-2014 2:30pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjZdHdd88jo

Redhairedguy · 25-11-2014 4:39pm

philstar · 17-12-2014 10:24am

is there free parking near by??

i'll be coming from the ennis direction, or is it easier to use the park & ride?

Cheshire Cat · 17-12-2014 10:29am

philstar wrote: »

is there free parking near by??

i'll be coming from the ennis direction, or is it easier to use the park & ride?

No free parking near by. Do yourself a favour and use the Park & Ride. Much cheaper than parking in town and so much better for your sanity!

El_Dangeroso · 17-12-2014 10:59am

philstar wrote: »

is there free parking near by??

i'll be coming from the ennis direction, or is it easier to use the park & ride?

No free parking as it's right in Galway city centre, you're better off getting the park and ride, Galway traffic is always bad and especially so at this time of year.

GalwayGrrrrrl · 17-12-2014 5:03pm

philstar wrote: »

is there free parking near by??

i'll be coming from the ennis direction, or is it easier to use the park & ride?

If you are coming on a Sunday or any evening you could park for free in dyke road car park - it gets busy this time if year though. It's four euro all day mon-sat daytime. It's about 5 mins walk to market in Eyre Square. Park and ride saves you the stress of traffic and finding a space so is probably your best option.

JONJO THE MISER · 17-12-2014 5:35pm

It has been really quiet there this year, dont think it will be around next year.

Paddyfield · 17-12-2014 6:22pm

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

It has been really quiet there this year, dont think it will be around next year.

Seriously? I was there three times this year (and will be going there on Saturday night!!!) and each time it was busy. Last Sunday afternoon was hectic.

Are you speculating that it won't be there or do you have some inside information?

Sofa King · 17-12-2014 6:31pm

I brought my daughter into the market recently and we were both very disappointed with the market this year.

There was no real Christmas buzz around and hardly anyone there when we were there.

When we got home, my wife asked our 6 year old what did she think of it, and in her words she said; 'it was rubbish'.

pleasant Co. · 17-12-2014 7:31pm

Sofa King wrote: »

I brought my daughter into the market recently and we were both very disappointed with the market this year.

There was no real Christmas buzz around and hardly anyone there when we were there.

When we got home, my wife asked our 6 year old what did she think of it, and in her words she said; 'it was rubbish'.

I agree with your daughter. It's as if it's been put together by people who don't quite get what they're supposed to be creating. It's rather embarrassing for Galway, but that's just my opinion.

beertons · 17-12-2014 8:17pm

I liked it. Was in Galway for a weekend, and the kids, 1.5 & 3, liked it too. Never been on a helter skelter before. The missus liked the mulled wine, and twirly chocolate cake. Will definitely head West again next year.

ben.schlomo · 17-12-2014 9:04pm

pleasant Co. wrote: »

I agree with your daughter. It's as if it's been put together by people who don't quite get what they're supposed to be creating. It's rather embarrassing for Galway, but that's just my opinion.

I wouldnt go as far as saying its embarrassing but its not a patch on or remotely similar to a traditional German Market, way too many sh1tty tat stalls, the food and drink and wood type crafts should be the only things allowed, no places selling feckin hats, gloves and scarves that youd find cheaper in Penneys.

beardybrewer · 18-12-2014 10:47am

Sofa King wrote: »

When we got home, my wife asked our 6 year old what did she think of it, and in her words she said; 'it was rubbish'.

While the market has the carousel and a few rides it is really aimed more for adults.

I think the Winter Wonderland was a great addition at the docks. Take her ice skating and maybe she won't complain.

JohnCleary · 18-12-2014 11:01am

Sofa King wrote: »

I brought my daughter into the market recently and we were both very disappointed with the market this year.

There was no real Christmas buzz around and hardly anyone there when we were there.

When we got home, my wife asked our 6 year old what did she think of it, and in her words she said; 'it was rubbish'.

They've really failed their target market, then.

/sarcasm

Christmas Market

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