The Continental Christmas market, which proved highly popular last year, will return to Eyre Square from November 25 to December 18.
The festive event will take a similar form to last year with wooden chalets providing a selection of food and crafts. There will also be a much smaller beer tent this year, while more attractions for families and children has been added, including a children’s amusement area.
Approval to host the market was given at Monday’s city council meeting, with councillors adding a provision for event organisers, Milestone Inventive and VSC Events, to make a contribution of €20,000 to the upkeep of the Square.
Fianna Fáil councillor Ollie Crowe has welcomed the decision and he has called on city manager Joe O’Neill to “ring-fence the income” from the Christmas Market over the next two years and put it towards the upkeep of Eyre Square.
He also wants to see the council allocate a further €40,000 over two years for the same purpose. “This proposed €80,000 funding over two years would be used solely for the cleaning, repair and maintenance of Eyre Square,” he said.
Cllr Crowe said action needs to be taken soon as “the eyes of the world will be on Galway next July” for the Volvo Ocean Race finale. “We cannot afford to wait until the eleventh hour for a quick spring clean!” he said.
Cllr Crowe said the square should be well-manicured, with attractive flowerbeds and clean fencing and paths at all times; the playground needs to be improved; graffiti should be removed; and bye-laws governing littering and drinking in public should be enforced.
It is also intended that 70 per cent of traders will represent different countries while 30 per cent will come from the local business community.
Cllr Crowe said he hopes that the representation of local businesses and traders “will be increased in the years to come as it is an ideal opportunity for budding and established companies alike to showcase their produce”.
