New Coosan market gains momentum

By Navjyoti Dalal

The serene environs of Coosan Point have long been a summer destination for picnic goers and nature lovers from in and around Athlone.

Lately, though, the area has hosted a weekly gathering of local artists, farmers, craftspeople and more at Coosan Farmers’ Market at the Lough Ree Inn.

Held on Saturdays, from 11 am to 2 pm, the market is the brainchild of Valerie Quinn, who is the organiser of the market and also works as manager at the restaurant.

A month-old venture, the market marries talent with trade, offering a purposeful take on retail therapy. On display are locally-grown organic vegetables, homemade jams, flowers, local honey, wooden crafts, herbal skincare, paintings, a variety of jewellery made with bog oak, resin, beads and the like, cupcakes, homegrown natural loofahs, candles, knitted toys, soaps and more besides.

"We just wanted to give producers, bakers and crafts people a space to showcase their talent," Valerie shared about the idea behind the market. Perhaps this is also the reason why there is no charge for the stalls.

After a month, her idea is beginning to take shape. She said the first market began small, with seven or eight vendor stalls. The recently-concluded fourth market featured 18 stalls from across Athlone and surrounding areas.

A well-known Athlone artist and voice on inclusion, Anna Boles, was part of the market on a couple of occassions.

"It was fairly simple, I got a message from Valerie, and knowing that it's a community event, I decided to join," said Anna who brought her quintessential paintings of Athlone, prints and miniature prints of her artwork on necklace pendants.

"My experience at the market was very good. The weather was good, and there was lots of footfall. Apart from locals, there were tourists coming in off the boats," said Anna, who turned into a customer as the market wound down, buying a jar of local honey from Athlone Wildlife Apiaries.

Another trader, Alison Chambers of Slieve Bloom Organics, comes from Offaly to participate in the market. On a recent weekend she sold salad leaves, spinach, potatoes, leeks, onions, chard, tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, beans, herbs, peppers and peas grown in the polytunnels of her patch on the Lough Boora Farm.

Her stall at the Coosan market became popular with customers as well as fellow vendors. "I bought my weekly supply of vegetables from her," shared Janet Meade, of Mother Miach Herbs. Through her venture, Alison sells organic vegetables she grows, and sources the rest of the produce from certified organic producers in Ireland (primarily vegetables and meat) and Europe (largely fruits and chocolates).

This is her first year selling at local markets. "It's an important way to reach people and make them aware of our work," said Alison, who has a customer base in the Midlands.

A herbalist from Athlone, Janet Meade, had her first outing at the Coosan market a few weeks ago with her Mother Miach Herbs. Through the herbs she grows in her garden, Janet makes herbal skincare like creams and salves, and also therapeutic syrups and tinctures.

"I have always had an interest in herbal medicine and natural therapies, and pursued it seriously with a four-year-course in Herbalism, and in 2017-18, I started Mother Miach Herbs. Every product I make I use on myself and my family," shared Janet. She advocates the need for such community markets, not only as a means to trade, but also for the local community to know the talent that lives amidst them.

Valerie Quinn agrees. "It's not really a commercial activity, with money being primary. The market is a place where one can find out the person and the story behind a craft. Everything has become so commercial, and factory-made that we must, as a community, promote and cherish handmade," explained Valerie.

With the season transitioning and autumn approaching, Valerie was asked what the period ahead will bring for the market.

"At the minute it is a weekly market. I'd like to build on it, grow it and continue it into winter," explained Valerie. She added that her intention is to make it into a community event where the art and the artist are both seen.