Community and commerce

Meet the participants of the regular Connaught Street markets

Having started as a collective effort to revive the Connaught Street trade landscape, the Connaught Street market seems to have succeeded in doing so. In its second year, the market has become a popular fixture on the town's cultural calendar, returning last Sunday of each month.

On display are a variety of crafts and handmade goods -- decorative, utilitarian and edible. But what's palpable amidst the colour and music, is the spirit of the people. Ahead of the upcoming market on June 28, Westmeath Independent caught up with the faces behind this event.

While the organising team is doing a meticulous job of curating and executing the market, credit must also be shared with the vendors who champion the themes of handmade, sustainable, and local.

Lee Fenlon, stained glass artist, Honeybee Glass Art:

From robins to butterflies, spiders and bees, to Brigid's Cross, and other nature inspired subjects, Lee Fenlon's stained glass art stall screams Irish in a most elegant manner. Lee is a resident of Walderstown, and a regular at the market. He credits the community vibe for returning to the market each time. "The organisers and fellow vendors are very friendly.

There's a sense of belonging, which makes this market so special. At the last market, the tent of the stall opposite us collapsed due to wind. Everyone around left their stalls and rushed to help them," Lee explained.

For someone who also teaches this art, it is interesting to note that Lee's initial connection with stained glass art was secondary and passive. He would observe his younger brother, Jason, who was a self-taught artist in the same discipline.

When he couldn't continue due to health reasons, Jason began knowledge transferring to his brother. Lee grasped the basics and began experimenting and widening his knowhow. In 2020 Jason passed away, the glass colours became a coping mechanism of sorts for Lee. The colours and their translucence have stood by him in times good and bad.

Eleanor Kilroy, handcrafted fabric accessories, E Kreations:

Each time Eleanor Kilroy has participated at the market, her product line is updated with more designs she has learned since the last outing. This Moydrum resident's stall is a display of diverse handcrafted items in fabric. There are purses and pouches, bows and brooches, tea-cosies, coasters, ingenious wrist bands to carry pocket change, organiser baskets, table mats, and more that she has machine sewn at home.

A fairly new skill, sewing came into Eleanor's life a little over two years ago at an LWETB course at Garrycastle. "A lovely lady called Deirdre taught me. Seeing my enthusiasm my husband got me a sewing machine and I haven't stopped stitching since," said Eleanor whose first ever market experience was at Shannonbridge 'to see how people respond to my work'. The confidence she gained led her to showcase at the Connaught Street Market.

"I am not here for the money, but it feels good to return home with 300-350 euros that people have paid for your work. It is uplifting to see people valuing my work," she elaborated.

Eleanor loves the lively atmosphere of the space and also the attention to inclusivity. "The market caters to all ages and demographics -- children, adults, men, women, for lovers, music lovers, craft lovers, and more. I especially appreciate the sensory tent for neurodivergent visitors," shared Eleanor, who turns into a shopper by the end of the day and indulges on homemade jams, honey, jewellery, and labelled footballl bottles for her children.

Aaron Bannon, Bannon Woodworks:

The finesse on the chopping boards, wine and glass holders, serving trays, coasters etc, is a subtle flex for armyman Aaron Bannon, whose initiation into woodworking is only three years old. The Castlesampson (Taughmaconnell) native is a self-taught woodworker and whose resources were videos by master creators and an investment in good tools. Over time, Aaron has developed a sustainability-focussed approach to carpentry. "I craft from Irish hardwood like elm, cherry, ash, sycamore, oak, and beech.

The wood is sourced from tree surgeons who trim and clean storm-felled trees. My idea is to keep it simple and sustainable. I want people to appreciate the local Irish hardwood, which is lovely, solid and comes in a variety of colours, with oak being on the darker side," said Aaron, who has worked on a range of epoxy-resin-on-wood pieces for the upcoming market.

Aaron shares that the exposure he gets from markets has also brought him commissioned furniture-making gigs.

Valentyna Konopchuk, baked goods:

Valentyna's American-style cookies with a creamy filling have found a special fanbase with the young ones. Children flock to her stall to get their favourite from flavours like nutella, red-velvet, chocolate chip, banana and printed shortbread cookies.

At one of her past showcases she received cake orders after a visitor tasted her baked goodies. An accountant by training and qualification, Valentyna came to Ireland along with fellow Ukrainians, fleeing her home after Russia began a war on her homeland. She took to baking while on maternity break (back home) to cater to her kids' cravings. But the move to Ireland made baking a permanent fixture in her life.

While she lived in Athlone initially she moved to Knockcroghery which is closer to her workplace, the Hodson Bay hotel, where she works as a pastry chef.

Her participation in the market is her way of thanking the Connaught Street community, which has been instrumental in her baking journey. “My dream is to open my own bakery-cafe on Connaught Street which is family friendly, where there's plenty of activities for the little ones to do. And this dream is a result of the support I have got from this community,” shared Valentyna.

Retreat, pop-rock outfit:

Returning to play at the Hollow is Retreat band, a four-piece band comprising James Duffy (piano), Harry Cunningham (guitar and vocals), Eoin Dillon (guitar, vocals, and occasionally tambourine), and Sachin Sundaresan (drums).

The band members, all pupils of Athlone Community College, are seasoned performers having played at the Christmas markets in Athlone, Moate, Loughree Inn, Ericsson Christmas party and RTE All Ireland Drama Festival Fringe. Inspired by artists like The Beatles, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton and the like, Retreat's setlist is usually a mix of popular and classic covers as well as a few originals to express their individuality.

Talking about their last performance at the market the lads said: “We thoroughly enjoyed playing here, and are excited to return. We were especially struck by the amount of interesting and unique stalls and also enjoyed meeting the alpacas.

"For the upcoming market we'll play a mix of covers and originals.”

Giving a peek into the setlist they revealed they'll play This Love by Maroon 5 and It Never Rains in Southern California, by Albert Hammond.

Other Attractions:

There is an array of interesting products one can indulge in, like True Colours gluten-free baked goods and sweets by Irene Pellen, beadwork jewellery by Helena Gilhooly.

There's also accessories and jewellery made of old Irish coins by Kieran Scullion. But he is better known for his role as a community fireman. The firefighter brings his fire truck which is a big hit with kids and gives fire safety tips and demos to children.

The market's famed Alpacas will also return for a playdate with kids.

The next Connaught Street Market will take place on June 28, 12-4pm, at the Hollow, Battery Bridge, Athlone.