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Our favourite Dublin Christmas Market is back ind
oors at the Point Square in the Docklands this December, for not one but two long weekends. Running Thursday to Sunday 6th-9th and 13th-16th December the market hosts the best up-and-coming Irish based creative start-ups and small businesses from all over the country. This year due to massive over subscription (the organisers received over stall 520 applications) and being near capacity last year (35,000 visitors over four days) they have gone all-out and have added on another weekend. This means that the market will host an incredible 280 traders. With a different selection of 140 Irish based artists, designers, craftspeople, retro, vintage and antique collectors and artisan food producers each weekend you will definitely not be going home empty handed. The Dublin Flea organisers believe that this is more than just another Christmas Market. They see it as a platform for small independent businesses to meet their customers, develop their products and reinvest in their business. With the makers, designers and collectors manning their stalls there is a personal touch and community atmosphere that can’t be found on the high street, and the story behind the products can be told face to face. This year the market has a special significance following the news that six Dublin markets have shut down due to redevelopment and soaring rent prices in the city. The Dublin Flea Market who organise the event are one of the markets who lost their home; so the Christmas Market will be a real reunion of traders and their customers, coming together for the first time since May. Market closures are indicative of a larger, more serious problem occurring in Dublin where homelessness has reached epidemic levels and the city is witnessing the continued closure of many community spaces, artists spaces, late night venues, and clubs. It is important that we show support and enjoy our markets and community initiatives while we have them. The Dublin Flea Christmas Market is a social enterprise, the organisers charge the stallholders a low-risk stall fee, and do not charge visitors at the door, so they are dependent on funding. They are delighted to have Dublin City Council Local Enterprise Office as their funding partner and this year they are inviting voluntary donations at the market and on their website www.dublinchristmasflea.ie. So if you enjoy markets and think they play an important role in society, maybe throw a few euros into the pot. There will be a mulled wine stall raising funds for homelessness, carol singers, a delicious healthy hot food room, and a larger seating area than last year. So head down to The Point, take your time, soak up the creative community Christmas spirit, and get all your gifts under one roof TOP TEN HIGHLIGHTS Jewellery from Capulet and Montegue, Juvi Design, Taer Jewellery. The Dublin City Council Local Enterprise Office sponsored stalls including Pearl Reddington Knitware, Mullholland Jewellery, Ail & El concrete planters and coasters, BBpapercuts laser cut maps of Dublin and G.B.E stunning artists drawings. Edible gifts from a incredible selection of Irish artisan food producers including Scéal Bakery, Katie Sanderson’s White Mausu, The Proper Chocolate Company, Mutonics, Intelligent Tea, Wooded Pig Charcuterie, Corleggy Cheese and The Dublin Honey Project. Hand made fresh foliage Christmas wreaths made by Boy Bloom, running both weekends. Personalised Christmas stockings hand made by Ronoco. Original Irish art works and framed prints from Deirdre Breen, Paul Tuthill (Dub Art), Claire Henderson and Emily Archer. Ceramic and Porcelain homewares and ornaments from a wide range of craftspeople including Brookwood Pottery, Aoife Slattery Ceramics, Chloe Dowds, Noel Byas and Cyril Cullen. Something for the kids from the Magic Shop, or hand made toys from Crawcraft Beaties, Wee Rock Fun T-shirts, Claymazing, Away with the Fairies or Moon Mood. Designer and vintage clothing and accessories for your Christmas Party from Blackbird Vintage, Tasty Threads, Retro Retale to name but a few. Choose from over 30 vintage, retro, antique and collectibles stalls sourced by the best collectors in Ireland including Original Compulsive and Kirk Modern.