The Galway Christmas Market, one of Ireland’s premier Christmas markets, will take place again this year in Eyre Square from November 18 to December 22.
This will be the seventh edition of this hugely popular event which has been produced by Galway-based event company Milestone Inventive since 2011.
“Producing this market every year has always been a labour of love for us,” says Milestone managing director Maria Moynihan Lee. “With 43 per cent of visitors coming from outside Galway specifically for the Christmas market, it delivers real value to the hospitality and retail sectors of the city.
“Taking place as it does within the season of goodwill, the market brings out the best in everybody of all ages and we particularly enjoy working closely with all of the schools and charities for whom it serves as an awareness raising and fundraising platform every year.”
This year’s Christmas market will take place both in Kennedy Park and on the plaza on the northern side of Eyre Square, although it is believed that some concerns by casual traders have to be addressed.
The highlight of this year’s market will undoubtedly be the new 32m high big wheel which will afford spectacular views over the city and Galway Bay, and which is wheelchair accessible and also features a VIP gondola for special treats and corporate bookings, perhaps, even a marriage proposal or two – ‘tis the season, after all.
Kennedy Park will be lit up like never before with lighting installations throughout and an enchanting light garden in the western quadrant. “We are doubling the lighting features this year,” says Ms Moynihan Lee. “The elves will indeed be busy!”
The market will feature the massively popular bier keller on the plaza, open until 10pm each evening. Gifts and stocking fillers will include hand blown glass ornaments, wooden toys and jigsaws, paper stars, jewellery and accessories, wood sculptures, ceramics, and all manner of seasonal indulgent treats including the ever-popular Czech chimney cakes, classic French crepes, authentic Belgian waffles, German bratwurst and gluhwein, donuts, handmade Italian chocolates, candied nuts, and Irish fudge from the Aran Islands.
As is traditional, Santa will take up residence on the opening night, November 18, arriving in style on the Santa Express train to officially open the market at 6pm.
