For your Christmas Shopping treat this year follow the Elves to Dunmanway for something different from great local shops and crafts people while having fun in this traditional Irish town at the very heart of West Cork.
In Dunmanway at the heart of West Cork there is a special Christmas Market on Thursday 8th December and the Elves are visiting from the 10th November to 24th December with a special Pop Up Shop! Pop in to the pop-up. Shop for original and handmade arts and crafts. There will be gifts to suit all tastes with jewellery, Christmas tree decorations, original fine art paintings, cards, prints, ceramics, cushions, lampshades and much more. All made by local skilled artists.
Pop-Up Shop On Thursday November 10th, Christmas Elves Pop-Up Shop will open its doors to the public. The pop-up shop will showcase and sell high quality crafts and fine art works made by the numerous and varied, talented Artists, Designers and Craftspeople that populate Cork County. Local Artist Cecilia Scholte Lubberink was awarded the Creative Start-up Grant by Cork County Council and Creative Ireland, to revitalise the former Kerr’s Pharmacy on the Main Street of Dunmanway. The shop will help to brighten up the town during the festive season and encourage shoppers to support local businesses. If successful, it’s hoped that the pop-up shop will lead to a new Creative Centre in the town. The pop-up shop will be in operation until Christmas Eve, December 23rd, with an official launch party on Friday the 11th of November at 6pm. All are very welcome to attend. Please check out Christmas Elves Pop-Up Shop on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with relevant news and to see the work on sale by featured Artists.
Dunmanway Christmas Market in Cork is a great festive experience for those who enjoy a bespoke shopping experience. The Christmas Market is taking place on Thursday 8th December in the car park beside the bridge and will feature a great selection of crafts, artisan producers and food stalls.
If you want to try the Hot Desking workspace at Dunmanway’s friendly Brookpark Business Centre you can do it for FREE on the day of the Dunmanway Christmas Market on Thursday 8th December. Get into the Christmas Spirit in Dunmanway on Dec 8th! Brookpark is offering Free Workspace on 8th Dec and enjoy the festivities in the afternoon! Book your free desk 086-441-0484 or *info@brookpark.ie
While visiting the Elves or the Christmas Market take some time to enjoy the great independent local shops and eateries in the hometown of Sam Maguire.
Finn Kearney’s Hummingbird Craft shop opposite Aldi is just full of lovely original gifts not to mention Finn’s own hand crafted pottery which makes for a perfect and well appreciated Xmas present.
Jems Crafts in the Market Square has some beautiful lamps, novelty items and Xmas Gifts. Go in to view the eclectic stock including beautiful handmade soaps, toiletries, handmade candles and personalised gifts. Next door the family owned KCK Electrical always has a lovely window display and great Xmas stock as well as quality appliances, spares and parts. I wouldn’t buy my Neon Penguin or fibre optic Xmas tree anywhere else!
Jewellery shops always have a magical quality, especially at Xmas, and Twomey’s Jewellers in the Market Square is always a casket of delights and gift ideas with lovely friendly service and advice from Veronica, its personable owner. It has something for every price range and always has lovely gift items in stock.
Connolly’s shoe shop on the Market Square has a lovely welcoming traditional shop front, a great selection of footwear from all ages and caring personal service.
You won’t be stuck for places to eat and lig do scíth while visiting Dunmanway. Pat and Anne-Marie’s Wild Garlic Restaurant upstairs in the Dunmanway Centre on the Market Square features exceptional locally sourced food made special by the skills of these award winning chef’s. It is a warm space featuring great home baking on the premises and something for everybody from grazing snacks to beautifully presented food to enjoy while taking in restful views of the Market Square and the Dunmanway Hills. Also in Market Square Mirabelle’s offers artisan baking, warming soups, its Woodsman Rolls and toasties in what is reputed to be the oldest building in Dunmanway, originally the fortified house of the local sheriff! At the top of Sackville Street by Drinagh Pharmacy you’ll find The Teapot Cafe, a charming business famous for its wonderful baked goods, warm atmosphere and tasty good value food, coffee and great friendly service. None of this is to forget the doyenne of catering in Dunmanway the ever reliable Parkway Hotel with its famous great value buffet at lunchtimes and its extensive bar food menu sure to appeal to the trencherman in you washed down with craft bears and ciders or even a pint of plain is maybe your only man!
Dunmanway’s bars always have had a convivial reputation from West Cork gatherings like the Ballabuidhe Festival and Horse Fair, the Dunmanway Show and racing at Ballabuidhe Racecourse. On the market square this fine tradition of hospitality is maintained by the quixotic Shamrock Bar, the Euro Bar next door and the Arch Bar across the square. Across the bridge over the Sally River you will find the Southern Bar with its traditional exterior and warm interior and further along the famous Doheny Bar.
So make a point of following the Elves and visiting the hometown of Sam Maguire this Xmas, pop into our lovely library or pay your respects to the man himself, Sam Maguire in the lovely St. Mary’s Churchyard in the centre of town.