SOLAS Eco Garden Centre in Portarlington is heading into its third weekend of Christmas markets.
This week will feature four days in a row with Craft Markets on this Thursday and Friday 5-9pm, Saturday sees our normal weekly farmers market from 10am-2pm, and Sunday’s sold-out Christmas market will run from 11am-4pm.
David Maher co-owner of SOLAS explains: “We have come a long way from our first market back in June 2021 when we opened with six stalls.
“Now we have just under 180 different stall holders featuring during the Christmas season – with a total of 400 bookings across the different nights.
“We have everything from a stall selling 150 different types of Belgian chocolates, Christmas sushi, woodwork, Artists, fashion, candles, soaps, BBQ food stalls, antiques, handmade cards … the list just goes on.
“Really at the heart of the success which is SOLAS is the beauty of what we have built and the critical mass of stall holders and customers which create a simply magical experience.
“This year the addition of Santa has provided a great boost in terms of numbers with over 1,000 tickets due to be sold over the period.
“As we build our reputation for excellence and uniqueness we are really excited as a team where we can bring this over the coming years.”
CHRISTMAS @ SOLAS
Christmas Markets – there are a total of 10 Christmas markets being run at SOLAS this year including 6 markets at night:
- 11am-4pm on Sunday, December 11 and 18
- 5-9pm on Thursday and Friday, December 8, 9, 15 and 16
Book a trip to meet Santa this Christmas featuring a grotto, elves, North-Pole Forest, sheep & Alpacas. €10 per ticket and times are the same as for the Christmas markets + Saturday 11am-4pm, December 10 and 17.
Book & see details on https://ecogardenshop.ie/farmers-markets/
Thursday, December 8:
6-7.30pm – Quilling Workshop (Christmas Card) see www.thegardenshop.ie/quilling-workshop/
Saturday, December 10
1-2pm – Kids Christmas Crafts Workshop (Eco Christmas Crafts) see www.thegardenshop.ie/kids-christmas-crafts/
Thursday/Friday, December 15-16
6.30-8pm – Eco Friendly Christmas Present Wrapping Workshop see https://www.thegardenshop.ie/christmas-craft/
Saturday, December 17
1-2pm – Kids Christmas Crafts Workshop (Eco Christmas Crafts)
SOLAS – FOOD
There is a very strong seasonal theme to the Food menu with Turkey & Ham, German Hot Dogs and Christmas waffles all making it onto the menu.
- Thursday & Friday 5-9pm: Burgers, Hot Dogs, Waffles and Churros
- Saturday & Sunday Menu: see full menu below
Saturday’s Farmers’ Market
This Saturday 10th December 10am-2pm will see a very full market with a wonderful range of bakery, fresh meat, fresh fish from Kilmore Quay and organic beef. Note Santa will be on hand on the day from 11am-4pm.
Sunday’s Christmas Craft Market
The seventh of our 10 Christmas Craft Markets takes place this Sunday 11th December from 11am-4pm.
The market is 100% sold out with an additional six stalls inside next to the Cosy café due to scale of demand. Last year this proved to be the busiest and generally agreed best of our markets.
SOLAS – Shop
Product of the week is almost 50% off a range of Christmas lights such as our Candy Cane and Lollipop LED sets. Special offer applies in store only.
SOLAS – Plants
Christmas planters and containers from €14.99. Position outside home, decorate front gardens, and remembering your loved ones this Christmas.
SOLAS Weather
The weather forecast over the next four market days at SOLAS is dry and generally quite Sunny. Will it be cold? Yes, just perfect for our Christmas markets.
Remember to ‘dress to impress’ by wrapping up in a coat, hat and scarf. We will have our super warm heaters running in both our indoor Cosy Café and out Outdoor food court for the duration of our opening hours each day.
SEE ALSO – Check out the Solas Eco Garden Centre website here
