Donadea Christmas Market just the excuse people need to shop local - Michael Fitzpatrick TD

Donadea Forest Park is to have a Christmas Market beginning today. It will be officially opened by Minister Trevor Sargent who has been hugely supportive of Farmers’ Markets around the country. Shopping local is vital to maintain local businesses and jobs, but local retailers and vendors must also provide something different to entice shoppers. The market will give local producers and retailers the opportunity to sell Christmas produce, quality farmhouse products and local crafts. This is a great use of the Park which is already providing popular with young families who are visiting Santa’s grotto there. The Market is a great response to the decrease in retail sales. It provides local people with guaranteed local produce and crafts and in a unique and atmospheric setting. I am hopeful that the Donadea Forest Park Christmas Market will also draw visitors from outside of the locality. This kind of model, where local producers come together to offer consumers a different retail experience is one that I hope will be replicated around the country. The Forest Park was already in the news this week as the fantastic Christmas tree outside Dáil Éireann was provided by the Forest. I am grateful to Donadea Forest workers who have made this possible and who are facilitating the Christmas Market.

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