“It’s just a fantastic space as well – there’s so much under one roof”
Belfast’s historic weekend market is embracing the spirit of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann as traders celebrate a week-long opening.
Located in the heart of Belfast City Centre, St George’s Market is combining a fantastic selection of local and international traders with a full live trad music programme until August 9.
Three days into Fleadh celebrations at the market, Belfast Live headed down to chat to vendors about what it means to be able to trade during the landmark event for Belfast and soak up the buzzy atmosphere on Tuesday afternoon.
1to1 Music is combining showcasing its locally made guitar straps and music gear with its own mini sessions right in front of its stall.
Co Tyrone musician Finn McGinn encouraged visiting musicians and locals alike to come down to St George’s Market and avail of the “coolest guitar straps you’ve ever seen” while out celebrating the Fleadh.
His colleague added: “The city centre’s buzzing – there’s all the streets are closed and there’s loads of bars ticking about in different stands.
“But there are a lot of local people in here actually selling stuff that they’ve made. Our guitar straps are all made by us and the whistle cases, they’re hand stitched and designed by us as well.
“It’s good fun in here as well, I like talking to all the people. It’s nice talking to them and seeing what they are doing here and what else they’ve enjoyed.”
Melting Pot Fudge is a well-known presence at the market every week and is delighted to be able to show off its locally made treats for the entire week.
With their fudge being made only one mile from St George’s Market, General Manager Jack McAdorey said the Fleadh celebrations at the market have only “levelled-up” what the market is offering every weekend.
“It’s amazing every weekend anyway – it’s a good atmosphere, it’s a great part of Belfast and it’s a good part of Belfast heritage,” he explained.
Jack added that the extra opening hours have allowed more tourists and visitors to experience the market, bringing “more energy”, which has been exciting for guests and traders alike.
“Come down and see the amazing selection of products that we have – food, art, everything really. Come down yourself, see it, listen to some music, try some products, get a free sample of fudge and get some fudge ice cream.
“Come down and have a laugh.”
Amy’s brand, Sage and Soul, specialises in handmade resin jewellery, trinkets, gifts and more. She has said the Fleadh has allowed her to chat to some brilliant people and has enjoyed meeting the people who are taking home her creations.
Amy said: “I think it’s great because obviously a lot of the city centre is pedestrianised, so I think it’s an amazing opportunity for people from the country and tourists alike to get down, have a wee nosey, come try lots of really yummy foods and shop lots of local crafts.
“It’s just a fantastic space as well – there’s so much under one roof.”
Lydia, a Co Fermanagh native who now runs her independent Irish fashion and graphic apparel brand from Dublin, said it was amazing to be able to have a stall at St George’s Market all week during the Fleadh.
“We’re a small Irish-owned brand called Deluly, and we screen print on t-shirts – so all the designs are inspired by Irish culture and the iconography and everything like that.
“All the stalls here are great, there’s such a wide variety. For us, we’re just so happy to be here in Belfast – hopefully people like our bits and support small businesses.”
She added that there has been “such a buzz” at St George’s Market, a sentiment felt by the market’s new and more established traders alike.
SporeShore Mushrooms have been trading at the market for over six years – they sell speciality mushrooms grown in Ballywalter and are at St George’s Market every weekend.
Suzanne, whose son Connor founded the business, is a musician herself and said the atmosphere surrounding the Fleadh at the market has been great.
“It’s been great having all the different performers in and the Irish dancers too- the atmosphere has been great.
“We’ve had people from Brazil, from Italy, from France and from Germany at the stall so please come and meet international people.”
St George’s Market is open for business from 10am to 5pm on Wednesday, then 10am to 10pm on Thursday to Sunday.
Find out more about Fleadh celebrations at the market here
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