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Christmas Market (Galway 2023)

  • 29-08-2023 11:07am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,417 ✭✭✭


    Galway's Christmas Market is returning this year and promises to be bigger, better, and longer than ever.

    The annual event sees Eyre Square transformed into a winter wonderland and the 2023 edition is due to run for two months straight.

    The market will start from Friday, November 10, and run past Christmas day into the first week of the New Year with plans to wrap up on Sunday, January 7.

    "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."



Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 3 Annflynn


    looking forward to it😃



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,345 ✭✭✭✭ben.schlomo


    What's there that will make it better I wonder? Going on previous there's not really anything at the Xmas market that is better than what you'd already get in town. Atmosphere and a Square that isn't empty is a plus.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭rustyfrog


    Phew, I'll hold off on the shower head purchases until then.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,064 ✭✭✭✭cena


    Waste of time and space. It never feels like Christmas when you go.


    Hopefully, the ice rink comes back.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,345 ✭✭✭✭ben.schlomo




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  • Posts: 15,362 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I'm happy to see it extended this year. It never made sense to me that it finished up right as folks started holidays.



  • Registered Users Posts: 653 ✭✭✭Space Dog



    Most Christmas markets on the continent finish up in the days before Christmas as well.



  • Registered Users Posts: 290 ✭✭Honey50000


    Galway doesent need to do the same although I think extending it too far is not good either it is supposed to be a xmas festival



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 537 ✭✭✭xtradel


    I always work up until xmas eve and assuming it'll be open on 26th/27th I'll look forward to a wander when it should be less hectic. Any idea which brewery is going into the beer tent this year? Really would love them to return to the original idea of German beer and oompa music playing.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 276 ✭✭the_galway_fry


    does anyone now what the charges are to have a small stall there?


    pm if you prefer



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  • Posts: 15,362 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 276 ✭✭the_galway_fry


    doesnt actually say on the site , it is just a portal to apply



  • Posts: 15,362 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Well it says 70 eur a day for artisan stalls, no idea if that's the type you want so you'll have to contact them for details beyond that

    Sorry, there's no details other than that



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,114 ✭✭✭✭zell12


    Christmas trees gone up today. Saw one in Small Crane, another in Woodquay



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,887 ✭✭✭✭kippy


    Not sure about extending it as they are past Xmas - Galway is usually very quiet over the Xmas break - students gone home, very few tourists and most of the sane people are sick of spending money at that point. Still nice to have for those that can't enjoy it before xmas and probably a good idea to try get more footfall around town but I'd have to wonder myself whether it's just a gimmick to "justify" the charges they are charging stall holders as opossed to anything that's been thought out too much.



  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Regional West Moderators Posts: 60,784 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gremlinertia


    I feel uncomfortable how it corrals (hope I've got that word right) people into little chutes like rats in a maze or something.

    My security head thinks about how vulnerable it makes people.. I suppose I should say bah humbug here



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 181 ✭✭ThePentagon


    Much preferred the market when the tents/stalls weren't confined to the path and could be located in the centre of the square. It felt less cramped. Alas, that set-up ruined the grass for months afterwards and, justifiably in my opinion, was abandoned.



  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Regional West Moderators Posts: 60,784 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gremlinertia


    I'm with you on both points, the grass areas of the square are not capable of supporting the market, the crowding of the cabins is too dense to be comfortable



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭rustyfrog


    I'd like to see these parts or eyre square resurfaced with something more robust so the space is usable for community events throughout the year.




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,210 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    What sort of community events would you have in mind?



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  • Registered Users Posts: 403 ✭✭cal naughton


    There was a poster on here year's ago obsessed about keeping the grass area's free during when the market was on. Used to get very annoyed.



  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Regional West Moderators Posts: 60,784 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gremlinertia


    The sod in those open areas waterlogs so quickly it's unbelievable, a more robust drainage system plus a better sod would make a big difference to the recovery time of the areas marked



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,210 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    The city has some people who are obsessed with having pretty patches of grass. And in fairness, Eyre Square is the only central green spot at this time.

    And others who aren't happy with any commercial activities on the public space. That includes a market where 90+% of the traders are solely businesses, not charities.



  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Regional West Moderators Posts: 60,784 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gremlinertia


    Watching bricks and mortar charity shops rebrand as vintage does not help the charity element people think of.

    However that's a much bigger issue not really relevant, though it's difficult to stay relevant talking about a temporary market in an established city.

    Markets I've been to internationally were always in some form of historical market place. The northern end of the square was a market of long standing but no longer available, I've no solution or agenda here by the way. Just what I observe, as right or wrong as I may be



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,660 ✭✭✭HBC08


    It's a good idea to extend it past the 22nd/23rd or whatever it used to be.

    I remember one year maybe 2016/17 they had the usual stuff in Erye Square but then had pop up shops and a long bar down at the Spanish arch.It really joined up the two areas of the town and I'm sure shop street/Quay Street businesses were happier too.

    As far as I remember it was only I

    one year,I wonder why they stopped this? Possibly it was bringing too many people (many with drink onboard) down around the water?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,601 ✭✭✭Laviski


    the weather..... storm came in one year and put that to bed.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,380 ✭✭✭✭Fitz*


    It was 2013 I think. I just checked there and have photos from that year down that side. It was more of an 'alternative' bar than beer tent, so it certainly fitted in with the vibe of that side of town, albeit the wrong side of the river.

    I guess the water element was the deciding factor, and while the crowds were not as big/rowdy as the beer tent, it was still too dangerous.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭rustyfrog


    Big dirty drug fuelled raves and have everyone pissing in the doorways of city residents.

    Not really but that's how you'll interpret any community event anyways so let's leap straight to that.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,172 ✭✭✭dinneenp


    Was in town over the weekend and went for a look. Lovely smell from the food......disappointed that it's €5 for a bag of chips or €8 for a large (which really is just regular) Bratwurst.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,380 ✭✭✭✭Fitz*


    €6 for a small portion of mini doughnuts!

    I guess there's a reason that there is no really visible price list in some stalls.



  • Registered Users Posts: 653 ✭✭✭Space Dog


    I saw Bratwurst and Currywurst for £11 at the Christmas markets in London last week, €8 seems like a steal compared to that!



  • Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭jonnreeks


    Is the Galway Christmas Market promoting 'Rip Off Ireland' in the food area at least, as if it has never really gone away!



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,805 ✭✭✭Bawnmore


    We were in over the weekend. Prices high as expected, but 5 quid per child for 1 go on the slide took me off guard a bit 😂



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,345 ✭✭✭✭ben.schlomo


    Yep, I wasn't there, but my other half and mil got caught for that, scandalous.



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,805 ✭✭✭Bawnmore



    The merry go round with the horses too to a lesser extent. I went on it with our youngest girl (she's 3) on 1 horse and it was 5 per person, so 10 for both of us on the same horse. So would have been another 20 quid if our other 2 daughters wanted a go too. The ridiculous pricing of the slide made me forget all about it. Thank the lord they ate before they got there 😂



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭rustyfrog


    Yeah but when you factor in the cost of gravity etc...



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,210 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    I'd guess insurance costs have a lot to do with prices for the attractions.



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,805 ✭✭✭Bawnmore



    I'd guess so too - I had the brilliant idea to bring the kids ice skating yesterday and after a quick Google it seems insurance has killed that too, which is a pity.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,153 ✭✭✭Paddico


    Anyone else think this is the height of tat and a Galway tradition whatsoever?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 596 ✭✭✭theintern


    Don't know what you're talking about. Gravity prices have fallen to the floor lately.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,751 ✭✭✭Oscar_Madison


    If it’s the same as it was or similar to ones over the last 6 years or so then yes definitely - at least they don’t charge admission like some in the UK do.

    Prices for food were always on the high side but nothing like what’s been reported in the UK - but as you allude to, just because it’s not as extortionate doesn’t make it good.

    Haven’t had a chance to hop down yet but like previous years I’ll probably spend 20 minutes walking from one end to another without putting my hand in my pocket 😀



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