I heard late last night that Achonry Farmers Market will be having their final market this Saturday (Oct. 12th). The statement below was put up on their Facebook page:
I’m absolutely heartbroken to read this. Achonry Farmers Market wasn’t just a market, it was a community; a family, a place where everyone was welcome, a social hub where you would see friendly faces and enjoy a wonderful chat.
It was one of my happy places; a place where I always felt welcome, and I will miss it so much. I’ve made some wonderful friends there and I will miss them. The market was run by a wonderful group of volunteers, they had regular family friendly events during the year that were always free.
The market posted this today:
“We know our sudden closure will have come as a great shock to all. As tomorrow will be our last Achonry Farmers Market for the time being, let’s make it one to remember!
It really wasn’t the news we wanted to bring you, and we will continue to work with Sligo County Council to explore the re-opening of the Market in the future.
In the meantime, put Achonry Farmer’s Market on your ‘to do’ list for tomorrow. We are delighted to have the wonderful Emma Gormley playing live to sing us out so call in and bid us, our fabulous traders and our incredible team a fond farewell and love local.”
I will be on Ocean FM on Monday to voice my sadness at losing such a wonderful resource to the South Sligo Community. I would also really like some answers as to why this has happened, and why there was no warning. I’m sure the stallholders who have had the rug pulled under them would like to know too. Some of them were relying on the market coming up to Christmas and have now left it too late to book elsewhere.
I won’t lose my ‘happy place’ without making a noise about it. Achonry Farmers Market started during Covid, it was a highlight in those dark days and a chance for us to meet other people. The volunteers have worked tirelessly building wooden huts for the stallholders, and even putting a roof on the place. I really hope this decision is overturned. In the meantime, take a look at some of the market highlights:
Magnumlady Blog 