Thurles Farmers’ Market committee criticise council consultation on new market quarter

On July 2, 2024, we had our first meeting with the Project Officer for the Thurles Market Quarter and the designer responsible for the project.

As you may be aware, the contract is signed, and the construction work is to start on August 6, and the car park at the Town Park in Thurles is expected to be unavailable for public use until late 2025. Not a typo.

As you may also be aware, last week was a very busy week for some of our members, so we have not fully examined the information the council shared with us.

In due course, we will share our thoughts on the information provided on July 2.

In 2021, we asked questions about the project and had expected to meet with the designers at some stage.

This did not happen. In 2020, the council sought a letter of support for the project from Thurles Farmers Market, which was provided.

The final outcome of the council’s work isthat the Stone Agricultural Building will be refurbished and expanded by means of a Glazed extension to accommodate an 83-seat café for which an operator has to be found and the council says there have been three expressions of interest to date.

A canopy will be erected over the car park, which will be modified to allow access to water and electricity at a number of points for Market Days – run by Thurles Farmers Market and other markets/events.

Thurles Farmers Market is to be given some storage space under the stairs in the refurbished building. The car park layout under the canopy will see a reduction from the existing 49 to 33 car park spaces.

The canopy, which will be cream incolour with no branding cannot come lower than 4m from the ground because cars are being parked under the canopy.

The council says no trader or customer parking will be allowed under the canopy during Market events.

This project is being funded by €3.4M in Rural Regeneration Funding for Thurles – is this the best use of taxpayer’s money?

NEXT MARKET

Our next Market will be on Saturday, July 13, at Thurles Greyhound Stadium. Offering local food produced by people you know.

Meat, including some oven-ready items – the best of beef, pork, lamb and chicken butchered in Clonoulty.

Eggs – hen and duck, jams, juices, honey and condiments, also on sale plus fruit, vegetables, flowers, tubs filled with flowers ready for display and Cashel Blue Cheese! Baked goods – what a selection – Mary will take custom orders also at 086 826 8891.

We have a location that allows indoor or outdoor trading and offers our customers plenty of free car parking – new traders are welcome – call 087 270 1689. Please try to support your local artisans and the local economy.

Our hours are 9am to 12.30pm every Saturday, and we hope to see you soon!

The Café Chris Tea Truck is on-site seven days a week, so it is a great point for walkers to meet – have a beverage (hot or cold) before or after your walk or shopping with plenty of outdoor seating available to sit and have a chat.

Shop local and keep your local skill set and suppliers in business.

Follow Thurles Farmers Market on Instagram, Facebook and onTwitter @ThurlesM.