Roscrea Christmas Market delivers record-breaking weekend of festive cheer

The historic Black Mills in Roscrea was transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland last weekend as the annual Christmas Market drew record-breaking crowds, marking its most successful year to date.

With something to suit everyone, the much-loved community event brought together local talent, festive entertainment, charitable initiatives, and family fun in a spectacular celebration of Christmas spirit.

Inside the beautifully restored building, visitors browsed an array of stalls showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of local makers.

This year also shone a spotlight on young entrepreneurship, with Transition Year students from Cistercian College Roscrea, Coláiste Phobail Roscrea, and the Ursuline Secondary School Thurles proudly displaying their innovative creations.

Adding to the community spirit, the Roscrea Rugby Club enjoyed a highly successful fundraising campaign throughout the weekend.

Their stand proved extremely popular, serving tasty beef rolls and hosting a well-supported raffle, with all proceeds going towards the club’s continued development.

The festive atmosphere inside the Black Mills was further enriched by a wonderful programme of performances. Lively carol singing and musical entertainment were provided by the Theresa Larkin School of Music, students from Scoil Eoin Naofa and Corville N.S., and the Rosie Grey choir filling the historic building with warmth, joy, and holiday cheer.

NCDC added to the seasonal charm by offering free non-alcoholic mulled drinks along with special treats for the children, creating an extra layer of festive delight for families.

Community organisations also benefited from the weekend’s success. Autism Awareness Roscrea and the RSPCA were both present, using the occasion to highlight the invaluable work they do locally.

Their presence offered visitors the chance to learn more about their services and support the important contributions they make within the Roscrea community.

Outside, the excitement continued as the exterior of the Black Mills became a haven of activity for younger visitors.
A snow machine delighted children and helped create an enchanting wintry scene, while a free Christmas train carried excited passengers around the town.

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The local Fire Brigade also joined in the fun, bringing their fire engine for the weekend - an attraction that proved irresistible to curious youngsters eager to explore and meet the firefighters.

No Christmas festival would be complete without Santa Claus himself. Children enjoyed free face painting while waiting to visit the man in red, and hundreds had the chance to share their Christmas wishes with Santa before receiving a delicious selection box to take home.

Cllr Michael Smith, Chairman of the Taste of Roscrea Festival, praised the weekend’s success, saying he is “extremely proud of how successful this festival has been and how it continues to grow from strength to strength.

“It was fantastic to see such huge crowds attending the festival on both days. When you have content stallholders - many already booking a spot for next year - and smiling kids, you know it has been a success, and it has been worth all the effort and time behind the scenes that went into such a project," he added.

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“Overall, the weekend was a tremendous success from start to finish, bringing joy, community spirit, and a wonderfully festive atmosphere to Roscrea,” Cllr Smith said.

The Black Mills Christmas Market once again proved itself a highlight of the holiday season - this year, more magical and community-focused than ever.