On what turned out to be the most atrocious day for weather in weeks I went along to the Farmers Market at the Crescent Shopping Centre today.
I’m getting to be an old hand at this stage and am actually meeting some Familiar faces! Between the markets and other Events I cover on this website and
For Customers I now know quite a lot of the faces (and Food) :-)
Located in the Shopping Centre Car park with plenty of parking space around it the Crescent Market is incredibly well organised. The area is closed off and offers
Easy access and exit to all of the stalls.
So on to the Good stuff!
Firstly I went to
Fleur De Sel who do a mouth watering range of Galletes and Crepes ( a Gallete is a thin buckwheat flower pancake. And yes I had to Google it! )
With an extensive range of sweet and savoury fillings available it’s a perfect treat or quick
snack!
Marks Cheese was next Door with an eclectic collection of Cheeses meats and Salami. Next Door was the stand from Ballyhoura Apple Farm with fresh Apple Juice and Apple Cider Vinegar on offer. It was a good day if you are a cheese fan ( and I am !) as next to Ballyhoura was the Old Irish Creamery stand. They have been heaped with acclaim and awards in the last 12 Months with both national and international awards in fact it now runs to over 14 awards in the last Year! They have an extensive range of Cheeses from Irish Whiskey and Red Wine to Blueberry and my personal favourite Chilli Cheese! With loads of samples available I went away happy!
Colette O’Farroll’s Stand is called Nature’s Bounty and her Curraghchase Relish has to be tasted to believed. First developed to suit her Neighbour in Curraghchase Caroline Rigneys Free Range
Pork it has proved to be an award winning success!
Not stopping there Colette has extended her product range to include Jams and Chutneys and I have to say I give them the thumbs up! I also sampled her rind less Marmalade Yum!!
And who has the stand next door but Caroline Rigney from Curraghchase Meats, Caroline has had amazing success with her Free Range Rare Breed Pork products and the distinctive and amazing smell from her rashers cooking would drag any house from their slumber and to the breakfast table. She produces Black Puddings and pork burgers as well as pork cuts and despite the weather her stock was flying off the stand. Caroline says that she finds that they get an amazing amount of repeat business from people who have tasted their products. And I have to say having had breakfast at the Farmhouse B&B in Curraghchase that Rigneys Farm has the most amazing breakfast I have ever had!
With what has to be one of the best names I have come across in a while
John Collery and Garreth Granville of “ Licence to Grill “ will cater for you empty belly with gourmet breakfast baps and Steak Sandwiches made to order.
Speaking with John he says that they try and use as much of the products from neighbouring stands as they can for the eggs bacon salad and sauces. The result is mouth watering and the smell was dragging people in despite the showers.
The next stall was a dieter’s nightmare with Pauline’s cream filled cakes buns and homemade baked goods leaving me drooling. Only the smell of the coffee coming from Dara Byrne’s Golden Bean Coffee Company stand pulled me away. Offering Latte, Espresso, Mocha and lots of other caffeine fuelled concoctions.
For those who suffer from intolerance for Wheat and Gluten Then Mary O’Doherty’s celiac certified products would provide a welcome change. Offering a range of products from breads to tarts they offer a tasty treat without any risk of allergic reactions.
Back on familiar territory next door with David Mc Caffrey from Sallymills bakery with his usual extensive range of baked goods including breads scones and a range of Christmas Puddings.
For the carnivores among us, Quarrymount’s stand manned by Ray Dunn offered a selection of free range meat and Eggs.
Maurice Hannnon also had a selection of Wheat and Gluten Free products on his stall. Next door was a selection of gourmet pies from Steven Neillings and Brid Ni Mhathuna from Piog Gourmet Pies, with fillings like Beef and Guinness, Salmon and Haddock and Kerry lamb and Vegetable on offer.
Trevor and Dawn Mc Namara from Ballycotton Fish provide an amazing selection of omega oil rich fish products and will prepare them for you on the spot. And so far Trevor still has all his digits! Next door taking care of all your Vegatable requirements was Gerard Fenniman from Kiltanna Produce with fresh Veg straight from the ground to the market. Gerard is a regular attendee of the Newcastle west Market on Sat Mornings.
Around the corner and another treat for the Caffeine addict with Brona Martin providing a fix from a wide selection of coffee beans and an extensive range of Teas as well.
And next door as a perfect accompaniment to your breakfast fry up, some gorgeous Mushrooms from “ Mushrooms from Tipperary “ with a wide selection of stuffed mushrooms and a tasty and popular mushroom pate on offer to sample.
For those brave enough to face the elements then M&G Mc Namara stall had a great choice of plants and shrubs on offer.
And last and by no means least (and a pure coincidence that I always finish at the Chocolate stands..... ;-)) was Chocolates by Patrick, as a fully trained and qualified chocolatier Patrick Rahilly offers a select choice of handmade chocolates and mini muffins made from blackberries
picked in season. With a mouth watering range of fillings his chocolates are a feast for the eyes and the belly!
Overall I have to say that the choice and variety of produce available makes this a very worthwhile market to visit. With parking easy to find and also the option to do your other shopping at the same time as picking up a bargain or just a delicious snack you can’t go far wrong with the Crescent Shopping Centre Farmers Market.
Open every Wed from 9:20 to 2:30 in the car park near Mc Donald’s.
So if you are looking for a fun way to pass an hour in town between Christmas shopping and new years sales then pop along to Arthurs Quay park to 
