Farmers' Markets

Colourful stalls, recipe swapping and a cheeky haggle over fresh fruit – the Irish farmers' market isn't just a place to pick up artisan cheese, it's a cultural event in itself Rich steaming hot apple juice made from local organic apples, glistening oysters served with crisp white wine, and an abundance of farmhouse cheese and local salamis – the Irish farmers’ market is a bedrock of local community life. This where you can try real authentic Irish street food with an artisan twist, as people picnic in the sunshine and snack on the go. “Farmers’ markets make an incredibly important contribution to the Irish food scene; local people growing and selling their produce is a completely different shopping experience that reconnects people with food,” reveals renowned celebrity chef and cookery school owner Darina Allen. George's Market, Belfast George's Market, Belfast The bottom line is that when you buy something at a farmers' market in Ireland, chances are that the person who's grown it is nearby, if not right in front of you. “Hours can be spent wandering from stall to stall meeting proud local producers who can tell where and when your vegetables were picked, and how to cook them to perfection,” says Grace Cox from LoveIrishFood.ie. “You might start out with a small bag, but you'll find you can leave with it filled to the brim.”