9th 10th 11th December 2011 in Westport will be the wonderland destination this year with many locations showcased around the beautiful surroundings of Westport Town offering entertainment for all the family….. Up to 20,000 people are expected to visit the Westport Shop ‘n Spraoi na Nollag Outdoor Christmas Market this year.
Wooden cabins will be lining the Streets of Westport with artisan food and craft producers from all over converging on the town for a spectacular Christmas market for you to indulge yourself in some tasty treats, and that special gift for you or a loved one.
Santa will be arriving Saturday afternoon at 3pm sailing down the Carrowbeg River (Mall ) with his little helpers and will be greeting all the Children in his grotto with a gift from the North Pole. In the courtyard Santa’s workshop doors will be opened for the young and the young at heart to get a glimpse of the hard work carried out by the elves this year. Santa, also known as Daidí na Nollag, will be back on Sunday to greet any of the children that missed him on Saturday and will be taking all letters to bring back to the North Pole.
With Carol singing, Cór na Nollag, live music from local musicians Conor Duffy, What the Folk & Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Westport Town Brass Band, dancing, poetry reading and street entertainers around the town of Westport to amuse all when they come to visit, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Bringing a blas of Gaeilge to the weekend the Electric Picnic’s Puball Gaeilge will be coming to town with a range of weird and wonderful activities as Gaeilge. For the Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh wannabes there will be CLG Karaoke…for those who want to find out who they really are and where they’re really from there will be a Placename & Surname Art Workshop along with Drumming, Ceol na nGealt - experimental music workshops, Juggling, Ceol, Drámaíocht agus go leor, leor eile.
The businesses in Westport are all behind the Christmas joy with many of them dressing up in the Winter Wonderland theme and offering special prices on gifts for all the family. With many beautiful boutiques for the ladies in your life to a huge selection of menswear, or the scent of perfume from our range of stores to that gift voucher for that special meal, you will find something for everyone in Westport this Christmas.
A special effort will be made to make the lovely children’s presents such as the Irish speaking teddybear, Bábóg Baby, games such as Scrabble as Gaeilge and a host of other bilingual toys including jigsaws, paint books and CDs easily accessible in the shops of Westport. Look out for the Bronntanas na Teanga posters in participating stores and “Give the gift of Gaeilge” this Christmas.
When the shopping is done and it’s time to relax, come along to Matt Molloys on Saturday evening from 6pm – to 9pm & Lig do Scíth théis an Shop ‘n Spraoi with an evening of craic, ceol, cluichí & comhrá trí Ghaeilge.
This year we can guarantee some frosty weather so the only thing you have to worry about is joining in on Spraoi na Nollag, bringing your hat and gloves and if you forget these don’t fret as there will be some at hand.
To see a full schedule of events check out our facebook page Westport Shop N Spraoi or for more information you can contact the Westport Chamber on 098 27375 or email us on [email protected], www.westportmarket.ie
