The best of Irish craft and design at Ballymaloe Craft Fair 2024. And, there'll be food of course!

The best of Irish craft and design at Ballymaloe Craft Fair 2024

200 exhibitors bring their best. And food stalls, of course!

The Ballymaloe Craft Fair 2024 will run from November 15th to 17th and 22nd to 24th. In addition to fantastic gifting options, the Fair will offer a wide range of produce from local artisan food producers, featuring everything from cheese makers to

Countdown is on for Ballymaloe Craft Fair. Hot food, mulled wine and cider will keep you warm while you browse

Countdown is on for Ballymaloe Craft Fair.  Hot food, mulled wine and cider will keep you warm while you browse

Busy scene in the Grainstore from a previous craft fair.

 

This year’s event will see 250 stall holders in total across two consecutive weekends in November

 

 

The Halloween decorations might still be on display but in Ballymaloe Grainstore in East Cork, final preparations are underway for the anticipated return of the much-loved Ballymaloe Craft Fair. 

 

For the first time ever, this year’s Ballymaloe Craft Fair will take place across two consecutive weekends in November. Previously high numbers in attendance in pre-COVID-19 times led the team at Ballymaloe to adjust this year’s event, spreading it across two weekends; Friday 19^th to Sunday 21^st November and Friday 26^th to Sunday 28^th November allowing shoppers to peruse the wonderful variety of stalls in as safe and comfortable a setting as possible.

 

The 2021 Craft Fair will see the fabulous Ballymaloe Grainstore transform into a magical market, with over 150 different stalls each weekend showcasing and selling artisan products from Ireland’s finest food producers, artists, designers and craft brewers and distillers. The event, which is suitable for the whole family, will be open from 5-9pm each Friday evening, while there will be ample opportunity to browse and buy on Saturdays and Sundays, with the Craft Fair open from 10am to 5pm.

 

Locally sourced items that are Irish made, many of which are sustainable, will be on display available for purchase across the two weekends.

 

Commenting on the return of Ballymaloe Craft Fair was Bree Allen of Ballymaloe Grainstore, who said: “We cannot wait to welcome everyone to this year’s Ballymaloe Craft Fair as we’ve recently confirmed there will be over 150 different stall holders across the two weekends. We will have a diverse selection of art, glassware, sculptures, leather goods, woodwork, jewellery as well as artisan food, Ballymaloe accompaniments and last but certainly not least, a stunning collection of Christmas decorations. We’re also very proud to be supporting the wonderful work of St Vincent de Paul South West Region as Craft Fair attendees will be able to purchase a €5 raffle ticket for their annual Car Draw Fundraiser”.

Visual Artist Aoife Banville with one of her light installations.

 

As the festive season is fast approaching, the Craft Fair will see a very special guest in attendance across the two weekends; Mrs. Claus (Alice Barry from Noggin Theatre) will be in situ and will be asking the boys and girls at the Craft Fair to help her think of an appropriate name for a brand-new reindeer recruit for Santa! Tickets (€5) will be available to purchases at the entrance to the fair on the weekends and children will be given a packet of homemade biscuits.

 

Recognising the continuous but rewarding work of St Vincent de Paul, Craft Fair organisers wanted to help raise funds for the charity and so decided to partner up for their annual Christmas appeal. Those that are browsing the stalls in search for the perfect Christmas gift will also be able to support St Vincent de Paul if they so wish.   Attendees of the first weekend, Friday 19th to Sunday 21st November, will be offered a return ticket at a discounted rate of €5 for the second weekend Friday 26th to Sunday 28th November, should they wish to return and experience the delights of the Craft Fair all over again, but with a completely different selection of stalls to choose from! 

 

The Ballymaloe Craft Fair takes place in indoor, undercover and outdoor areas, making it a perfect day out for all the family. Free parking is available on site, while admission costs just €6, with free entry available to children under 12. With live craft demonstrations, children’s activities, countless stalls, hot food, mulled wine Ballymaloe cider, and live music, this is an event not to be missed. 

 

Every guest attending the Craft Fair will need to present proof of covid vaccine or immunity (through having had covid 19 in the last 6 months) or a valid certificate showing they are covid free.

 

To find out more about Ballymaloe Craft Fair, visit www.ballymaloefestivals.ie or call 021 4757200. To enquire about room rates and reservations at Ballymaloe House, visit www.ballymaloe.ie. Follow the conversation on Facebook @thegrainstore, Instagram @ballymaloe_grainstore, Twitter @thegrainstore.   

press release

  

  

 

 

Ballymaloe Craft Fair is Back! TWO WEEKENDS this November

Ballymaloe Craft Fair is Back!

Artist Beata Dagiel

 

Christmas market goers and craft lovers delight as Ballymaloe Craft Fair makes a welcome return to Ballymaloe Grainstore for TWO WEEKENDS this November

 

It may seem a little early to mention Christmas, but it’s always the right time to start planning a visit to beautiful Ballymaloe in East Cork – especially with the announcement that the annual Ballymaloe Craft Fair is back!

 

Taking place this year across two weekends – Friday 19^th to Sunday 21^st November and Friday 26^th to Sunday 28^th November – the 2021 Craft Fair will see the fabulous Ballymaloe Grainstore transform into a magical market, with over 150 stalls showcasing and selling artisan products from Ireland’s finest food producers, artists, designers and craft brewers. The event, which is suitable for the whole family, will be open from 5-9pm each Friday evening, while there will be ample opportunity to browse and buy on Saturdays and Sundays, with the Craft Fair open from 10am to 5pm.

 

Following the cancellation of the 2020 event due to the pandemic, this year’s Fair is set to more than make up for lost time.

 

Often described by craft fair and Christmas market enthusiasts as a shopper’s paradise, the event will feature an abundance of crafty goods, such as textiles, glassware, sculpture, art pieces, woodwork, jewellery, leather goods and of course, a plentiful supply of stunning Christmas decorations. It provides the perfect opportunity to shop for locally made goods, supporting the ‘shop local’ mantra while picking up unique Christmas gifts for loved ones in the process. The majority of the stalls at this year’s Craft Fair will showcase crafts that have been made here in Ireland.

 

Much to the delight of avid foodies, Ballymaloe Craft Fair will once again feature a wide range of goods from artisan food producers, with everything from farmhouse cheeses to smoked fish, as well as a gourmet selection of delicious Ballymaloe accompaniments that will give the perfect finishing touches to any feast in the upcoming festive season.

 

Sallyann Marron from Sallyann’s handbags

Commenting on the return of Ballymaloe Craft Fair was Bree Allen of Ballymaloe Grainstore, who said: “Having had to cancel last year’s Craft Fair, and all of our other events for that matter, we are hugely excited to welcome everyone back to the Ballymaloe Craft Fair this year. We have a wonderful selection of suppliers and stall holders organised and we’ve decided to run it across two weekends, in a bid to cater for as many people as is safely possible. The Ballymaloe Craft Fair provides the perfect opportunity for people to locally source Christmas presents this year and with the variety of stalls set to be displayed, we’re certain that you won’t be disappointed!”

 

In an effort to give something back over the festive season, Ballymaloe Grainstore has partnered with St. Vincent de Paul South West region on their annual Car Draw fundraiser. The charity will be showcasing the car on the first weekend of the festival, while revellers can also support it across both weekends by purchasing a €5 raffle ticket at the majority of the stalls or on entry/exit to the event. All raffle ticket sales will go directly to St. Vincent de Paul to provide direct assistance to those in need, caring for the homeless, providing social housing, operating holiday homes and other social support activities, while promoting community self-sufficiency, enabling people to help themselves.

 

Visual Artist Aoife Banville with one of her light installations

The added bonus of the potential to win a car or a number of other high-ticket prizes is the cherry on top for those who support the draw.

 

Those who attend the first weekend, Friday 19th to Sunday 21st November, will be offered a return ticket at a discounted rate of €5 for the second weekend Friday 26th to Sunday 28th November, in case they wish to return and experience the delights of the Craft Fair all over again!

 

The Ballymaloe Craft Fair takes place in indoor, undercover and outdoor areas, making it a perfect day out for all the family. Free parking is available on site, while admission costs just €6, with free entry available to children under 12. With live craft demonstrations, children’s activities, countless stalls, hot food, mulled wine Ballymaloe cider, and live music, this is an event not to be missed.

 

If any Irish made crafts people would like to apply to have a stall, please contact bree@ballymaloe.com. To find out more about Ballymaloe Craft Fair, visit www.ballymaloefestivals.ie or call 021 4757200. To enquire about room rates and reservations at Ballymaloe House, visit www.ballymaloe.ie. Follow the conversation on Facebook @thegrainstore, Instagram @ballymaloe_grainstore, Twitter @thegrainstore.  

Taste of the Week. Galtee Honey Farm Honeycomb

Taste of the Week

Galtee Honey Farm Honeycomb 

No problem finding a subject this week. Quite a few good things to be found in the food emporium of the Ballymaloe Craft Fair last week. And I was delighted to find this honeycomb from Galtee Irish Honey, our current and delicious Taste of the Week. Local and seasonal. “That is more or less the last of them, they are running out,” Aoife Mac Giolla Coda told. Their honey is 100% fresh floral honey from the Galtees.

Aoife runs the the Galtee Honey Farm, just off the R639 north east of Mitchelstown along with her father and founder Micheál who was also on duty in Ballymaloe. Bothe are both certified lecturers in beekeeping. Micheál is also a qualified honey judge, having judged in honey competitions and shows both nationally and internationally. Their honey is 100% fresh floral honey from the Galtees.

The farm, established in 1970, has some 170 hives in the Galtee Vee Valley stretching across Tipperary, Limerick and Cork. The bees collect from a variety of  fauna including blackberry blossom and clover. By the way, no need to keep your honey in the fridge; room temperature is fine and, by the way, while honey has many health-giving benefits, please note that is not suitable for children under 12 months.

Aoife and Micheál plan to have farm tours up and running next year and we’ll update you on that as soon as details are available.

Galtee Irish Honey Farm 

Burncourt

Cahir

Co. Tipperary

Ballymaloe Craft Fair. Busier Again This Year.

Ballymaloe Craft Fair. Busier Again

Spent Sunday morning wandering around the 150 plus stalls at this year's Ballymaloe Craft Fair in the Grainstore and surrounding buildings including the now iconic Big Shed. If truth be told, spent most of that time in the shed, as that was where most of the food and drink was to be found.

Golden Bean coffee

One of the most eye-catching stalls was that of Joe's Farm Crisps where two generations of the Burns family, including crisp-maker Sandra were stationed. It was eye-catching in the sense that it was the first time I had seen their lovely new packaging. Lovely new design but with echoes of the original.

Long
necked
bottle

Anyone of you who have enjoyed dinner at Barnabrow will know that Head Chef Stuart Bowes is a dab hand at the petit fours. Now, Stuart and Barnabrow have expanded the service and owner Geraldine was on hand at the fair with boxes of their delicious handmade chocolates. Had a tasting - can now recommend especially the raspberry "jelly" topped dark chocolate and also the salt and caramel one and I may indeed another few favourites before the day is through.

Got down there about 10.30 on Sunday morning (the final day of the 3-day festival) but by then there were hundreds of cars parked - ample car-parking by the way. The Grainstore, packed with craft stalls, was also packed with people, but soon became more comfortable once you got away from the area immediately adjacent to the entrance. And if you got yourself a cuppa and a treat, you had lots of benches and seats at your disposal.

Interesting lighting!

One tea of quite a few from remedyroots.com

Great to say hello to Micheál and Aoife of Galtee Irish Honey Farm. Lots of other little chats too,
including with Geraldine of Barnbrow, Sandra of Joe's Farm Crisps, Kate of Kinsale Mead, Lisa
and Stuart of Remedy Roots