Downland to host festive craft market

Downland Craftswas founded in 2004 as a hobby making handmade greeting cards venture

The Slieve Russell Hotel will be the ultimate destination for anyone interested in unique design, unique independent brands and artisan food producers this coming Sunday, December 5, when Downland hosts its annual Christmas Craft Fair.

The event will take place from 12 noon to 5pm and will host more than 50 different stalls showcasing and selling artisan products from some of the region's finest food producers, artists, designers and brewers. The event will also feature an abundance of other crafty goods too, from textiles to woodwork, jewellery, and of course, a plentiful supply of Christmas decorations.

The Downland Christmas Craft Fair, which was adjourned for a year due to Covid restrictions in 2020, is a lovely family day out, with Trish Ryan explaining: “We have more than 50 tables and it's handmade crafts from some of the best local artists and producers.”

Downland Crafts, which was founded in 2004 as a hobby making handmade greeting cards venture, now market affordable paper crafting and jewellery making supplies to crafters across Ireland, as well as channelling that talent into a series of trade shows throughout the year.

“In normal years, we would host three craft fairs in the Slieve Russell. But Covid has really put an hold on markets, which is a real shame because they are a great way to see what's out there, and for crafters and artists to get feedback on what they're producing,” says Trish.

This year's Christmas Craft Fair will be the first since 2019 and Trish and husband Tom are excited at the prospect.

“It will be lovely to see everyone again, because a lot of regulars come. People got creative during lockdown so I'm sure there will be a few new faces too. A lot of these people we've gotten to know over the years. They're not just exhibitors, they're our friends.”