Three new stalls for market

There are three more reasons to visit Cork’s beloved English Market.

Three exciting new independent stalls have opened at the city’s market, just in time for the festive season. The first of the three new stalls to open is Roughty’s Little Sister, an expansion of The Roughty Foodie, first established in the 1960s and now run by third generation family business owner, Margo Ann Murphy.

The stall has been designed with a traditional sentiment and a commitment to sustainability at the core, with all furnishings redesigned and upcycled. The new stall also includes a market-first florist section, featuring a selection of fresh and chemical-free wildflowers that are prepared the traditional way - wrapped in brown paper and tied with string in front of you, while you wait.

Margo Ann Murphy said: “I am so proud to open our second stall, Roughty’s Little Sister. I noticed a surge of customers looking for local products over the past 20 months and have seen so many new faces coming through the doors of The English Market to shop, which was really reassuring, so I decided to be brave and go for it! I am so thankful to the people of Cork for really getting behind their local businesses and long may it continue!”

Meanwhile, local pottery artist Charlie Mahon has opened his first ever retail outlet at the market.

Charlie Mahon Ceramics has been trading since 2016, when his signature mackerel design launched his brand to the market.

At the opening of the stall, he said: “What do you serve good food on? Plates, platters and bowls and good bowls at that! With that in mind, we think the English Market is the ideal location for our first shop as the home of craft, food and Cork humour - a perfect fit!

From the start of December, visitors to the market will be treated to an exciting new feelgood festive pop-up stall, Comfort and Joy, just inside the left-hand door of the Grand Parade entrance.

Sheila Fitzpatrick, owner of the Alternative Bread Company and Jenny Rose Clarke, owner of The Real Olive Company and Toonsbridge Dairy, have joined forces to bring the former the stall to life for the season, transforming it into a treasure trove of colourful gifts and delicious festive fare.

All the Olive Stall favourites will be there along with a selection of beautiful ceramics, soaps and woven baskets.

Meanwhile ABC will be presenting Italian pannetoni, award-winning jewelled Christmas cakes, gluten-free puddings and of course the famous ABC mince pies.