Crowds flood to the first Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market of the year
Artisan food lovers flocked to Hillsborough on Saturday to attend the first Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s first Hillsborough Farmers Market of 2023. Set up at The Dark Walk and Hillsborough Fort, the market took place between 10am to 3pm and showcased over 50 food and non-food local traders.
Marketgoers took over Royal Hillsborough throughout Saturday to browse the stalls in the market, as well as to take in the sights and sounds of historic Royal Hillsborough. There was a diverse range of local produce, street food, handmade arts, crafts, beauty and jewellery products available for visitors to enjoy as they moved down the Dark Walk.
Commenting on the success of the first Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market of the year, Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Chair of the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Development Committee said,
“What an atmosphere there was at the first Hillsborough Farmers Market of the year on Saturday. It was great to be back in Hillsborough to showcase all of the local talent and artisan producers that the council area has to offer. Marketgoers certainly weren’t disappointed with the impressive line-up of traders, producers and makers who turned out to be a part of the event. There really was something for everyone with offerings including speciality rare-breed meats, seasonal and local vegetables, award-winning charcuterie, preserves, chutneys and pickles, Irish Artisan Cheeses, fresh bread, cakes, crafts, entertainment and much more. I want to extend my thanks to all who were a part of making the market the success that it was.”
Local producers who attended Saturday’s Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market included popular artisan producers, many of whom have grown to be regulars at many council food events, including Ispini Charcuterie & Deli, Jack’s Fudge and coffee specialists, Loki’s Coffee. A delicious selection of handmade cakes, breads and cupcakes were also available for those with a sweet tooth, from market favourites Rosie McNeill Cakes, Kin and Folk and The Daily Apron. As always, there was a fantastic street food offering to keep marketgoers well fed as the browsed the stalls. There was the return of some of Northern Ireland’s street food favourites including Tribal Burger and Pizza Table, as well as new kid on the block, Wild Child Foods.
As well as the abundance of new and returning local food producers and traders who attended the market, visitors also get the chance to browse the stalls belonging to specialised crafts, beauty and jewellery makers, including, Mrs R’ganics, Rebecca May Jewellery and Alison Hanvey Ceramics.
Offerings from Potters Hill Plants and Gracehill Flowers added the colour and spring time feel to the market with an abundance of herbaceous perennials and bright blooms which were all which all available to purchase at the market.
For further information on upcoming food and drink markets, please visit www.visitlisburncastlereagh.com with frequent updates on Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council on Facebook.com/VisitLisburnCastlereagh, Twitter @VisitLisburn and Instagram @visitlisburncastlereagh.