There are various markets and fairs around Dublin, some operating all
week like the Georges Street Arcade, but most being weekend affairs...
The Georges Street Arcade is one of Dublin's finest buildings with a redbrick, Gothic exterior complete with fairytale turrets and gargoyles. So before you enter from either Drury Street or obviously Georges St., look up. Inside there are permanent stalls in the middle and shops and cafes down one side. There's a second-hand book stall, an independent music shop, lots of second-hand clothing places. You could happily spend an afternoon here.
Every Saturday from mid-morning until late afternoon, there's the Temple Bar Food Market in Meeting House Square. There are handmade chocolates from Chez Emily, there's Cakes & Buns from Claudia's. Corleggy Cheeses have another stall, while you can chow down on some sweet pastries, along with many other dishes from the Gallic Kitchen. There's the ubiquitous crepe stall, there's fish, vegetables, cheese. Going Bananas make fresh juice from fruit & vegetables. Frank Hederman's Smoked Fish is another one to sample. All your organic vegetable needs can be supplied by the McNally Family Farm. At other stalls, there's sushi, there's jam, there's waffles, there's freshly baked bread and tapas both Spanish and Mexican-style. So it's always a nice stop-off on a lazy Saturday and one of the best things about Temple Bar.
The Book Fair is on at the same time on Saturdays in nearby Temple Bar Square. There are all kinds of books here from collectors' items to sci-fi to potboilers to niche interest. So come down and have a rummage.
For those early birds and those interested in architecture head to Smithfield's Fish Market. The market begins at 7am and runs till 3pm Monday to Saturday. It is a good way to experience the heart of Dublin's medieval district while at the same time bringing home fresh fish for dinner. The market is located on Michan Street, just behind the historic Four Courts buildings.
The Wolfe Tone Market runs on Saturdays on Jervis Street, right beside the Jervis centre. It is an Arts and Crafts fair and all the work is individually handcrafted by the stall-holder. Crafts range from ceramics, stained glass, paintings, drawings, photography, etchings, candle-making, pottery, textile art, leather work and woodturning.
Cow's lane Fashion and Design Market is now located in St. Michael's and John's Banquet Hall (around the corner from Cow's Lane) for the winter months. Top designers garments, accessories, photography, fine art, crafts and ceramics are all sold in this designer market. Cow's Lane opens from 10.00am to 5.30pm every Saturday.
Dublin is full of interesting markets and fairs, the difficulty is picking which one to potter around!
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