Christmas Market

Mars Bar

So the council have waived the €20,000 fee. http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/64499/christmas-market-gets-go-ahead-with-20000-use-of-park-fee-waived

I just want to know, is the fee €20,000 per stall or what?! That was madness if it was the case!

Hopefully this means that we'll have more stalls with more variety this year. I love the market!

snubbleste

It is a fee for the park use divided amongst all traders somehow.
but see this part:
free on-street parking in the city centre will be provided from Monday, November 4 to Friday, November 29.
I thought the Council was broke How can they afford to forgo a month's parking revenue?

Edit: Further on in the article, it says two hours a day. Why did I expect better writing from a freesheet?

antoobrien

snubbleste wrote: »

free on-street parking in the city centre will be provided from Monday, November 4 to Friday, November 29.
I thought the Council was broke How can they afford to forgo a month's parking revenue?

Edit: Further on in the article, it says two hours a day. Why did I expect better writing from a freesheet?

That was in the trib/sentinel last week. Free parking between 10am & noon in order to get people into town.

Paddyfield

Any plans for Easter?

desaparecidos

Hopefully the price of things on sales will now be a bit more reasonable. 6 euro for a handful of jellies my arse!

fishy fishy

not much of a market - prefer the authentic one on market street.

Links234

I've said it loads before, the market the first year was incredible, it was taken over by a different crowd the second year. first time around they had a lot of great continental stuff, I couldn't get enough of those traditional dutch donuts, the bratwurst was great and they had Fischers in the beer tent. the roast hog on a spit was awesome too, but after the second year you got measly portions some people didn't like it, but the stall offering the different burgers, like ostritch and wild boar, etc was great really was awsome the first time around

I'll never forget my disappointment the second year there was a stall offering a similar selection of different meat burgers and sausages, but when I went to buy a "burger" and they guy cut two sausages in half and put them in a bun... I was hungry so I just ate it, and there really wasn't much else to be had. instead of bratwurst, there was hot dogs, and loads of overpriced rubbish.

El_Drago

Links234 wrote: »

I've said it loads before, the market the first year was incredible, it was taken over by a different crowd the second year. first time around they had a lot of great continental stuff, I couldn't get enough of those traditional dutch donuts, the bratwurst was great and they had Fischers in the beer tent. the roast hog on a spit was awesome too, but after the second year you got measly portions some people didn't like it, but the stall offering the different burgers, like ostritch and wild boar, etc was great really was awsome the first time around

I'll never forget my disappointment the second year there was a stall offering a similar selection of different meat burgers and sausages, but when I went to buy a "burger" and they guy cut two sausages in half and put them in a bun... I was hungry so I just ate it, and there really wasn't much else to be had. instead of bratwurst, there was hot dogs, and loads of overpriced rubbish.

That gentleman was paying a visit to Aldi Westside each morning and buying their daily stock of chilled hot dogs to sell at the market.

The €4 twirly spud on a stick was definitely the biggest rip off.

thesandeman

I wish the Soup In Bread guy from the first Ocean Race turned up. He would make a fortune especially if the weather is cold.
Those sweet stalls are just taking the pee.

deliege

Links234 wrote: »

I've said it loads before, the market the first year was incredible, it was taken over by a different crowd the second year. first time around they had a lot of great continental stuff, I couldn't get enough of those traditional dutch donuts, the bratwurst was great and they had Fischers in the beer tent. the roast hog on a spit was awesome too, but after the second year you got measly portions some people didn't like it, but the stall offering the different burgers, like ostritch and wild boar, etc was great really was awsome the first time around

I'll never forget my disappointment the second year there was a stall offering a similar selection of different meat burgers and sausages, but when I went to buy a "burger" and they guy cut two sausages in half and put them in a bun... I was hungry so I just ate it, and there really wasn't much else to be had. instead of bratwurst, there was hot dogs, and loads of overpriced rubbish.

Same feeling here ('had written a more detailed account of my disappointment at the time). Am not sure if I should still hope for improvement or get a plane to the continent if I want to see a good Xmas market this year...:(

Interceptor

Support your local market traders - the people who bring you coffee, doughnuts, bread, olives and the best Indian food this side of Bradford. Don't waste your hard earned Euros on overpriced seasonal tat that doesn't contribute a cent to the local economy (apart possibly from the wages paid to the lovely 'security' staff).

Down with this sort of thing...

'c

pleasant Co.

Thank you for submitting your feedback, it has been forwarded to the appropriate department who should respond within 3-5 months :P

El_Dangeroso

Interceptor wrote: »

Support your local market traders - the people who bring you coffee, doughnuts, bread, olives and the best Indian food this side of Bradford. Don't waste your hard earned Euros on overpriced seasonal tat that doesn't contribute a cent to the local economy (apart possibly from the wages paid to the lovely 'security' staff).

Down with this sort of thing...

'c

Galway K9

Interceptor wrote: »

Support your local market traders - the people who bring you coffee, doughnuts, bread, olives and the best Indian food this side of Bradford. Don't waste your hard earned Euros on overpriced seasonal tat that doesn't contribute a cent to the local economy (apart possibly from the wages paid to the lovely 'security' staff).

Down with this sort of thing...

'c

that market is over priced too

Interceptor

Galway K9 wrote: »

that market is over priced too

Aye, but the septics love it and there is probably a grant from The Gathering committee if we filled out the paperwork in time...

snubbleste

Over 50 traders will be selling a host of crafts, festive food, treats and Christmas gift ideas [to the] expected audience of up to 650,000 market-goers

So that's an audience of 21,666 market goers per day. That's quite a number.

I'll be staying away as per usual

JONJO THE MISER

Cant wait to see what the prices will be this year:rolleyes:

zarquon

I'd love to know where they get the 650K figure from.

thesandeman

I think their attendance figures include people who are just walking diagonally from Garvey's corner to town as market attendees. Last year they had someone with a clicker at the top corner.
If that's the case I will be shown as a 'visitor' to the market at least 300 times this year.

Mrs OBumble

snubbleste wrote: »

So that's an audience of 21,666 market goers per day. That's quite a number.

I'll be staying away as per usual

Yeah, but I'll be attending twice a day (once on the way to work, once on the way home) ... it all adds up.

Paddyfield

I love the Christmas market and will be bringing my kids.

cats.life

Paddyfield wrote: »

I love the Christmas market and will be bringing my kids.

dont forget your wallet/purse loaded with cash, way to dear for me. prices wont change .:)

beardybrewer

Corndogs is coming?

ben.schlomo

And Churros this year, Winter weight starts here.

Patrickheg

Great news. Even if a little overpriced(has to be expected, all Christmas market(Octoberfest etc) prices are above normal price due to the nature of the trade, ie seasonal, costs of specialist equipment, accommodation for the visiting stands etc etc) its a great addition to galway.

It's something different, gets people in the festive mood(those of us who aren't bah hum bugs anyway!) and brings in a few tourists

Laviski

better be more than just booze and food. way too many food stands and not enough crafts. as someone said before the first year was the only year it was decent.

beardybrewer

We also wished there was a few more craft stands, something different from the regular market which we know well and love. The ornaments and trinkets from the Belarus nun has made great pressies the past couple years to those you just want to get a little something for (family friends, etc). Would love to see more of that type of thing.

dinneenp

Just to get people in the mood for the Christmas Market here’s a very short video of photos I took from the previous year’s Christmas Markets:

link

death1234567

zarquon wrote: »

I'd love to know where they get the 650K figure from.

Their Arse.

Lapin

Is Corndog Guy there this year ?

Not worth going near the place unless Corndog Guy is in town.

You could take out all the other stalls and just have him !

That would be the Christmas Market on its own.

Without Corndog Guy there is no market.

Lapin

thesandeman wrote: »

I think their attendance figures include people who are just walking diagonally from Garvey's corner to town as market attendees. Last year they had someone with a clicker at the top corner.
If that's the case I will be shown as a 'visitor' to the market at least 300 times this year.

We probably pass each other by about 300 times a month !

Although sometimes my feet automatically veer in the direction of O'Connell's.
Totally against my will of course.

Lapin

Lapin wrote: »

Is Corndog Guy there this year ?

Not worth going near the place unless Corndog Guy is in town.

You could take out all the other stalls and just have him !

That would be the Christmas Market on its own.

Without Corndog Guy there is no market.

The beer tent is all that matters

ciano1

There's a corn dog stall.. Is that corn dog guy?

Ludikrus

Lapin wrote: »

Is Corndog Guy there this year ?

Not worth going near the place unless Corndog Guy is in town.

You could take out all the other stalls and just have him !

That would be the Christmas Market on its own.

Without Corndog Guy there is no market.

Corndog guy is there!

Really not at all impressed. The layout is pretty much identical to last year with the same stalls in the same locations. Prices were the same and compared to the first year the selection is once again quite poor. Beer tent was where we spent most of our time but once again a few heaters inside wouldn't go amiss.

FouxDaFaFa

Did anyone see Enda Kenny getting chased by about 50 people with placards when he was walking around the market last night?

It was hilarious.

inisboffin

FouxDaFaFa wrote: »

Did anyone see Enda Kenny getting chased by about 50 people with placards when he was walking around the market last night?

It was hilarious.

LOL! A friend told me that the Mayor got chased into Freeneys by the anti-choicers who ran down the road behind the entourage with their banners! Hope a pint or a tea was had to ease the stress!

ciano1

Deleted User wrote: »

Really not at all impressed. The layout is pretty much identical to last year with the same stalls in the same locations. Prices were the same and compared to the first year the selection is once again quite poor. Beer tent was where we spent most of our time but once again a few heaters inside wouldn't go amiss.

Really? I found it very warm once the place was full

sindy5

I found the xmas market the same as last year. There is an extra beer tent this year and more seating. I noticed a couple if more local stands this year. I wush there was more local craft stands.

pleasant Co.

Not bad for its opening, will probably get better in a fortnight or so once more stalls set up, nice atmosphere as usual.

Mrs OBumble

Go to St Nics market for local crafts, the eyre suare market is for more exotic stuff.

Nice idea from someone to turn the tourist train into a santa train.

I haven't ventured inside yet, its been too busy. People seem to be enjoying it.

Redhairedguy

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Nice idea from someone to turn the tourist train into a santa train.

Saw it 'pinging' along today, much to my amusement, and surprise, as usually when I'm deep into a burrito bowl, no outside stimulus will affect me.

Mrs OBumble

Deleted User wrote: »

Really not at all impressed. The layout is pretty much identical to last year with the same stalls in the same locations. Prices were the same and compared to the first year the selection is once again quite poor. Beer tent was where we spent most of our time but once again a few heaters inside wouldn't go amiss.

Update now I've been inside.

Stalls around the edges are mostly in the same places. But there's a big market square style area covering the paths and grass in the middle - makes a lot more space in front of the stage tent.

The nuns from Belarus have a stall that you cannot walk into, should cut down their shop-lifting rates but maybe their sales too. Various predictable local food retailers - Man of Aran fudge, someone selling soup, Adare farms hot pork, etc. The tart/macaroons/turkish-delight people who bake in the tent are there - took 2.90 off me for a tart that I reckon is worth about 2.00, but hey, they're putting up with working in a tent.

Really good buzz about the place, queues for the kids ride - great to see them full.

Galway K9

inisboffin wrote: »

LOL! A friend told me that the Mayor got chased into Freeneys by the anti-choicers who ran down the road behind the entourage with their banners! Hope a pint or a tea was had to ease the stress!

oh they did. they were in o Connell's beer garden having pints, just said hi. Edna kenny, padraig coneely, and Brian Walsh.

Patrickheg

Good update mrs ob, great to hear a positive review

K.C

Will be in Galway next month so looking forward to seeing it. Last time I saw it was 2 years ago when I lived in Galway. Is it the same as it was 2 years ago? I thought it was great.

GY A1

Any pulled pork again this year

_Whimsical_

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

The nuns from Belarus have a stall that you cannot walk into, should cut down their shop-lifting rates but maybe their sales too. .

What do nuns from Belarus sell at it?

EDIT : Goods made by themselves and patients in a psychiatric hospital near their convent and all profits go toward funding the hospital. Seems they get as far as New York at Christmas. Pity anyone would shop lift when it's a charity stall.
Intrepid nuns!

hawkwind23

same in Belfast.
its a welcome addition to the city no doubt.
yet overpriced and uncomfortably busy.
there is obviously a massive demand for this sort of attraction in the winter months but can we please not have someone in a city council in Ireland make it less about money, they cram them in and hike the prices to the roof as if its ever going to be the last xmas market ever.

i cant be arsed with the belfast one anymore ,went tonight , dont even bother with the stalls but the pubs are good.
problem is they are packed out , massive queues and loud drinkers shouting and no seats or comfort.

i look at it now and its nice for the tourists and people who dont get out much , but im out

General General

death1234567 wrote: »

Their Arse.

& here's me trying to think of some sophisticated way of saying that.

Xmas market should go 24 hour, for no reason other than I'd drop in around 5 am to haggle with a Nun from Belarus...