Huge range of local Christmas markets set to get underway
A host of Christmas markets and events are about to get underway. This weekend, a mini Christmas Market will take place at Coosan Point on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 from 1pm to 6pm.
There will be free hot chocolate and entry to a draw for a small hamper for visitors. Local crafts, wreaths, flowers and jewellery and gifts will all be on offer along with festive food and drinks.
Mount Temple Active Age will hold a cake sale in the community hall this Sunday from 11.30am.
Moate Mini Christmas Market will take place in St Mary's Hall on Station Road from 11am to 6pm on Sunday, December 4.
Meanwhile, a Christmas Craft Fair will take place in St Kieran's Community Hall Athlone on Saturday, December 3 and Saturday, December 10 from 10am to 5pm.
The market will run in conjunction with Ruby's Journey to raise funds for Ruby Morrissey, an eight-year-old Athlone girl who is battling a rare disease.
Jolly Boys Pizza in Ballymahon will host the Jolly Christmas Market from 12-6pm on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4.
They will be transforming their backyard area into a Winter Wonderland, with local businesses selling their products.
DJ and MC Michael Conlon will be on hand on stage to provide some festive tunes on both days. There will also be live music from The Ballymahon School of Music on Saturday from 1pm to 2pm and live music again on Sunday from Bridgeways Voices, a multi-cultural singing group.
Children can enjoy face painting and balloon making from 12pm to 6pm on both days. Attendees can expect lots of fantastic stalls featuring homemade baked goods, local honey and beer, festive crafts, flowers and wreaths, ceramics, sculptures and wood products, vintage clothing and organic skin care.
The town will also enjoy a Christmas Market in The Well on Sunday, December 11. Anybody interested in having a stall at the market should email neweventhappening@gmail.com
Mount Temple Community Hall has organised a number of fantastic events this year. Their annual concert will take place in the church on Thursday, December 15 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm featuring the Mulligan Sisters and a variety of local talent. There will be a raffle on the night with some fantastic prizes up for grabs. Tickets cost €20 and are on sale at Kieran’s Shop or from any committee member.
The Christmas Food, Craft and Gift Fair will take place from 11am to 5.30pm.
In Castledaly, a Christmas Wreath Sale and Coffee Morning will be held on Sunday, December 11 at 10.30am.
The Christmas sale will raise funds for Castedaly Active Age and will take place in the community centre.
An indoor Christmas Market will be held in Monksland Community Centre on Saturday, December 10 and Saturday, December 17 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
The Ballinahown Christmas Market will return this year on Wednesday, December 21 in Ballinahown community carpark. The market will take place from 5pm to 8pm and will feature locally made crafts, Christmas gifts, refreshments, food stalls, carol singing and visits with Santa for children. There will be something for everybody with bric-a-brac, clothes, needlecraft, papercraft, handmade jewellery, homebaking, preserves, textile art, room scents and a tea room.
Athlone Christmas Market from Thursday, December 15 until Sunday, December 18 in and around Athlone Civic Square .