The picturesque village of Clarinbridge will take its annual step back in time on Saturday September 6 when it holds its hugely popular annual market day. The day, which includes displays of local traditional culture and fare, marks the beginning of the world famous Clarinbridge Oyster Festival.
The market day kicks off on the Village Green at 12 noon on the day and continues until 6pm. Throughout the day costumes, practices, and wares from days gone by will be on display. There will be in excess of 50 stalls on the Village Green, displaying a mixture of home produce and beautiful handcrafted goods.
In addition to the many and varied stalls, there will be demonstrations of traditional farm practices including threshing, churning, spinning, traditional hand crocheting, traditional open-fire baking, and many more.
To satisfy the mechanically minded, there will be a display of vintage machinery around the edge of the green. There may also be a very exciting surprise vintage vehicle of great historical importance, courtesy of the Defence Forces.
Possibly the biggest attraction of the day, each year, is the array of farm and other animals with their young. There will be goats, donkeys, cows and calves, poultry, and Norman, the pig you can take for a walk. There will be lots of activities to keep children entertained during the day, including face painting, hair braiding, and jumping clay.
No Market Day would be complete without musical entertainment, and to that end, various local musicians and dancers will perform all day.
Clarinbridge offers a magnificent day out for all the family on this first Saturday in September. It is an experience not to be missed.
