Write a comment
Today saw the monthly Newry Artisan Market back on site at Newry Market. The event is one of four popular Artisan Markets supported throughout the district by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and gives local artists and food and drink producers the chance to promote their quality produce.
The council have published attendance figures for their markets from April 2022 to March 2023 showing that while the event attracted a sizeable 7761 visitors in that period, it was the least well supported of all the markets despite being hosted in the largest centre of population.
Despite Newcastle cancelling two of their events and Warrenpoint cancelling one, both were substantially better supported. Warrenpoint with 13,022 and Newcastle with 10,642. Down County Town, Downpatrick had 7,935 attendees.
The Council had also carried out a pilot artisan market at Slieve Gullion in April. The market attracted 425 visitors but Council say at present there are no additional resources to deliver a market at the location but they will review this in the Autumn.
Newry's Artisan Market is the only one to take place on a Sunday, presumably because each Saturday is occupied with the weekly market at the venue. Newcastle takes place the 1st Saturday of the month outside Newcastle Centre. Warrenpoint is the 4th Saturday of the month and Downpatrick is the 3rd Saturday of the month.
