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BLOG POST: MARKET REVIEW – BUSHY PARK MARKET, DUBLIN
Where
Bushy Park is in between Terenure and Templeogue Villages (Dublin 6W) on Templeogue Road. The market is in the Northern corner of the park near the Rathdown Ave entrance.
When
The village market is on every Saturday from 10am – 4pm from March to October.
The Market
They have around 30 stalls each week, many of which are there every week though around 25% of the stalls changes quite regularly. There are great food choices to be had, with options available for vegans and carnivores with everything in-between. Our personal favourites are the 
chips from the Surf ‘n’ Fries stall. I don’t know what they do to them but these are by far the best chips we have ever tasted.
There are also fresh organic food fruit and veg stalls if you’re on a health kick health and plenty of cakes, doughnuts and all things sweet to tempt you if you’re not.
The arts and crafts stalls change a good bit but will always have a good variety of unique handmade gifts and crafts to choose from. The craft stalls generally have unique and personalised gifts for new baby, new home, wedding and engagements, birthdays or even just to treat yourself! We have often seen some of our Market Street sellers there such as.
- Emma Higgins Art there selling her colourful artwork,
- Pictures 4 Life with their unique personalised frames for all occasions,
- BBpapercuts with their very contemporary art maps, and
- Woof Stuff with their trendy little dog bandanas and treats.
We’ve also seen picture framers selling prints and photographs (and really cool old maps of Dublin), a Polish potter with lovely flatware and tea sets, some very cool up-cycled furniture and a range of other gifts and decorative handcrafts.
As there are only a handful of craft stalls selling unique and quirky handcrafts that is one of the things we would like to see more of.
Market Events
They have occasional family fun days through the summer with games and activities for children, as well as small petting farms with rabbits and sheep. They run an international food day once a year with dozens and dozens of food stalls with food cuisines from all around the world. There is an Easter market where the Easter bunny will make a visit, and usually a popular kiddy favourite on family fun day. This summer Paw Patrol’s Chase and Marshall made an appearance. We found the best way to keep up to date is to follow their Facebook page which is well run and regularly updated with upcoming events.
Facilities
There are a few picnic benches set out next to the market. There is also a basket full of picnic blankets for you sit on the grass and feast, and a big bottle of sun cream tied to a tree for you to use if you forgot yours (which is a nice touch). If you need a toilet, there are two on site (portacabin style but clean) with hand sanitiser for afterwards.
Away from the market, Bushy Park is one of the better Dublin City parks. It has a really nice, recently renovated playground with something for kids of all ages and a lovely duck pond to walk (or jog) around. You will also find a nice wooded area with streams, brooks and bridges to explore as well as plenty of green space and pitches. There’s a fenced off skateboard park right next to the recently refurbished tennis and padel club, which is beside Sportworld Running Club clubhouse.
With summer outdoor yoga and bootcamp classes held next to the recently done up bandstand, there really is something for everyone in Bushy Park. We go there with the kids at least once a month and have a fun day out every time!
Our Rating
We really love this market but feel the number of craft stalls could be increased. Apart from that it has everything else you want from a local park market.
Market Street rating: 4 out of 5 stars
BLOG POST: WHAT MAKES A GREAT MARKET
What makes a good (farmers) market?
Traditionally farmers markets were places where farmers would gather to sell their produce directly to customers, and there are still many farmers markets in Ireland still doing exactly that.
However, in recent years, the term ‘farmers market’ has taken on a broader sense, especially in large towns and cities. In these instances, farmers markets usually include interesting homemade street food vendors, locally produced baked goods and sweets, great coffee and tea and finally an interesting selection of hand-made gifts, textiles, antiques and artworks. Things you won’t find easily in the shops or online (apart from on MarketStreet.ie of course!). There are no hard and fast rules for what you might find at a farmers market but generally, everything you buy was made locally and nothing is mass-produced.
The number of farmers markets in Ireland has exploded in recent years with there being over 50 regular farmers/craft market in Dublin alone.
So what makes a good farmers market? Here are our thoughts…
Good choice of food and drinks
Variety is key, we like to see choices for everyone, a good farmers market should have something to suit vegans and carnivores. We like to see unusual cuisine represented alongside the more standard fare of burgers and falafel (we love both of these). Cakes, treats and handmade ice-cream never go a-miss either. Finally coffee, a bugbear of ours are big markets with only one coffee vendor and massive queues.
Interesting and unique gifts and handcrafts
If we travel to a market we usually want to be able to spend an hour or two there at least, and we don’t want to spend the whole time eating otherwise we’ll need an entirely new wardrobe of larger clothes! So it’s important for us to be able to potter around looking at unique and interesting crafts. Again, variety is key, we like to see original artwork, personalised frames and gifts, textiles and accessories, homemade soaps and candles, unique wooden toys etc. It’s exciting to be able to support small Irish businesses and buy unique and handmade things at the same time!
Entertainment
Rather the exception than the norm, having some kind of entertainment really can be the icing on the cake when it comes to a great market. By entertainment, we mean anything at the market that you can’t buy to eat/take home with you. For example, music – maybe a guy with a guitar or a small band, games for kids, face painting, petting zoos, street artists (e.g. jugglers). This really can make a difference and make us want to return. Some of the markets we go to have entertainment some weeks for special ‘occasions’, but not others, so it can be worth doing some research before choosing where to head for the day.
Organisation
The layout of a farmers market is important. There needs to be space for people to stop and look at things and have a chat with the makers at the stall without causing a traffic jam. The food stalls at most markets we go to get more of the footfall so it’s good to have them at both ends of the market as this pulls people across the stalls of the makers giving them a better chance to market their wares. Access to parking is also important, no one wants to spend ages looking for a space on-street and pay and display can be a real turnoff if expensive or you don’t have any change on you, so for us parking can’t be too much of a faff.
Facilities
You can split the facilities that make a good farmers market into two groups, firstly the facilities specifically set up to service the market, those being places to sit, to eat drink and chat, toilets for after eating and drinking, and perhaps somewhere to shelter if it rains. But if you’re driving somewhere to spend a few hours or even half a day at the weekend you probably need a bit more than that. These broader facilities could include a good playground for the kids to play in, a wide-open area for you to take your dog for a walk, other activities to engage in while you are there (e.g. yoga classes or boot camps).
All of these added together, we think, makes a good market a great one.
Market Reviews
With this in mind, we intend to write up some reviews of local markets we have attended based on the above criteria. Starting with a favourite of ours – Bushy Park Market, Dublin 6W.
What makes a great market for you? Have we missed anything here? What are a few of your favourite markets you think we should review?
We’d love to hear from you.
BLOG POST: WE’RE ALL GOING ON OUR SUMMER HOLIDAYS..
TRAVEL ACCESSORIES
Who doesn’t love a summer holiday?!! And of course what comes hand in hand with going on holidays?? Yes, shopping for holidays!! Planning and getting organised for holidays can be a busy and stressful time especially if there’s kids to pack for! To help save you time running around the shops looking to pick up some fun and quirky travel accessories, we have put together our top holiday travel picks to help make your holidays (or someone else’s) even more enjoyable (and stylish!) 😃🌴☀️✈️🛳
1. Cross body bag – €65
Perfect for out and about while away, as well as for carrying the essentials while on the plane/train/boat/bus! More designs and sizes available. Also handy for carry baby changing things too!
2. Lavender sachet – €8
Keep clothes smelling fresh in the suitcase. Choose from 3 colours.
3. Monogrammed luggage tag – €8
Lovely stylish little travel accessory. Initial comes in green, pink or blue.
4. Waterproof unisex bag – €120
These bags can be worn in multiple ways using a clip and are weather/waterproof. Perfect bag for the beach or an adventure holiday! Choice in designs.
5. Soother chain – €10.20
We don’t want a baby crying over a lost soother now do we!! Lots of colour and personalisation choices available.
6. Kids wooden activity set – €22
Travel hassle-free – keep the kids entertained with this wooden activity set to put together and colour! More choices available
7. Cloth pencil case – €15
Keep their colours together in this cool pencil roll. (Colouring pencils included)
8. Teddy with sleeping bag and passport – €15
Well these are cute for a little one’s first holiday, or any little one’s holiday to keep a record of all their amazing memories!
Choice of six teddies available.
9. Linen covered sketchbook – €27
Ideal for those looking to relax while away!
These are just a small selection of the quirky travel accessories available on Market Street. View more here.
Let us know in the comments below where you’re off to on holidays…always fun to see where people are going and get some inspiration for our next holiday 🙂
BLOG POST: THANK YOU DAD!
THANK YOU DAD..
Father’s Day is almost upon us (16th June 2019)..which often brings a ‘scratch-the-head’ moment of what to get dad! When asking dad for some ideas, they generally say they have everything already, so you’re really none the wiser and then it’s left to the last minute in a panic!
Well we’re here to the rescue, and have some fun and quirky gift ideas for dad this Father’s Day, to give him something a little different for a change. After all, it’s nice to get something they’ll love to say thanks for all they do!
So here are some of the unique gifts you can pick up for your own dad or the little one’s dad, keeping it simple and fun..
1. Bottle Opener – €18
Need I say more?!
2. My Daddy Frame – €30
For the fun daddy from the little ones!
3. Wooden Cufflinks – €70
Available in different colours and patterns, these are the perfect father’s day gift for the stylish dad!
4. Fridge Magnet – €5.95
A perfect fun and quirky gift for any dad.
5. Sports bag – €120
This waterproof and Irish landscape print bag is for the sporty and adventurous dad!
6. Personalised Scooter Print – €59-€79
Personalise with any special and meaningful words, phrases and names.
7. Handcrafted Mug – €26
Perfect for any tea/coffee loving dad.
8. Charlie Chaplin Line Illustration – €35-€55
A lovely gift for any dad. More illustrations of iconic Irish sculptures to choose from.
9. Daddy and Me – €34.99
A special gift for a special daddy!
10. Family Name Print – €24
A unique personalised print with family names.
BLOG POST: WEDDING GIFTS…TO HAVE AND TO HOLD!
WEDDING GIFTS…TO HAVE AND TO HOLD!
Most couples nowadays are saving for their honeymoon or a house, or spending all their savings on their big day, and so prefer to receive money as a wedding gift.
However, depending on who the special couple are and your relationship with them, you may want to give something a little different and get them a unique and personalised wedding gift as a keepsake of their special day.
Trying to decide what wedding gift to buy can be a headache, so here at Market Street we have put together some truly special and unique gift ideas for all budgets, to help you choose the perfect wedding gift for the perfect couple!
1. Wedding Card – €3
A detailed hand-drawn illustration wedding greeting card.
2. Monogrammed Luggage Tags for the honeymoon – €8
A quirky gift to start their journey together as Mr and Mrs.
3. Commissioned Painting – When the Story Began €75
A thoughtful and unique gift, bound to be treasured forever.
4. Personalised Pebble Art Wedding Day – €65
A unique wedding gift for a unique couple.
5. Personalised Heart Balloons Print – €29.99
An elegant personalised keepsake for their big day.
6. Handmade Ceramic Planter – €28
A piece of handcrafted home decor to add to their home as Mr and Mrs.
7. We Go Together Personalised Print – €39-€59
A fun gift for a fun loving couple to hang on their wall.
8. Personalised Mr&Mrs Frame – €30
A lovely wedding keepsake to remember their big day.
8. Jewellery – Cufflinks For Him and Necklace For Her – €125 / €89
Something a little more personal without being personalised.
10. An Original Painting – €200
Something different, inspiring and original.
These are just a small selection of the amazing gifts available, view more wedding gifts.
Leave us a comment below to let us know what type of wedding gift you like to give (or would like to receive!)…
BLOG POST: THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE LOCAL
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE LOCAL
Irish online shoppers
Irish people love being Irish. And why wouldn’t we?! Always up for the craic and wanting to have a laugh, we’re known for our good manners and of course our love for the black stuff…tea that is 😉
So why is it when it comes to online shopping we could be better at supporting local? Did you know that the Irish are the biggest international online shoppers in the world? According to a report in the Irish Times in 2018, 84% of Irish online shoppers purchased from overseas sellers ahead of local. That’s shocking!
However, in my opinion and from previous experience, part of this may be down to the fact that’s it’s not always easy to find what we’re looking for from Irish sellers online. When it comes to digital expertise, small Irish businesses are not the best (according to Ireland Digital Health Index), but that’s not to say that what these SMEs do and create isn’t the best! It just means we have been forced to shop overseas to find what we’re looking for in unique gifts.
Support local for unique gifts
When it comes to finding something different and unique, many of us resort to online shopping, especially when it comes to gifts. Nowadays giving personalised gifts and unique gifts for any occasion, is the norm. It’s nice to give and also to receive a gift that someone has put some thought into..something handmade and personalised, you know they have put more effort in and it means more. With plenty of choice to buy unique gifts online from overseas, we are missing the opportunity to support local makers because we can’t find them!
Over the last 6 months in particular I have been to quite a lot of local fairs and markets across the country and have come across some AMAZING talent and FABULOUS products that make a perfect gift! I honestly have wanted to buy everything! It’s such a shame I didn’t know about all of these makers and their creations before now because they really are special. This is why Market Street is here today. You NEED to see this stuff!
Without sounding cheesy, Market Street supports the dreams of these small Irish businesses and gives us the opportunity to support local and shop Irish.
My top 5 reasons why there’s no place like local when looking for the perfect gift..
- We are supporting someone’s dream to be able to make what they make and earn a living from it. Someday this could be you and wouldn’t you like the support from Irish shoppers?!
- We are supporting local jobs for these makers as well as all the suppliers and businesses they interact with to carry out their business. You may be for one of these people or work for them, and isn’t it nice to have a job!
- We are investing in and encouraging local entrepreneurship so we benefit from unique products made with passion and care. We all love something different!
- We are showcasing the local talent that lives amongst us.. Like seriously, the talent is unreal!
- And finally, be proud to support Irish!
Need I say more?
Just check out some of the amazing and unique gifts available on marketstreet.ie and you won’t need convincing!
Support Local.
Shop Irish.
We’re continually working to add new sellers and new products, but if there are any other types of gifts or products you would like to see available on Market Street, just leave a comment below..