The former Portlaoise Livestock Mart is to enter a new chapter – as a market and car boot sale venue. The sales will be run by Seamus Holland, son-in-law of the last owner of the mart, the late Fintan Hennessy.
He bought the mart on the Timahoe Road, in 1985, from Frank Gowing, and commenced trading the following year. The original mart day was Tuesday but that quickly changed to Saturday for sheep and cattle sales.
Horse and machinery sales were also held, with the popular machinery sales still being run on the third Saturday of every month by John Hennessy. They will continue when the market venue is open.
Currently the livestock pens are being removed and the interior of the premises is being renovated. The market and car boot sales will kick off on Saturday, October 14, and will be run every second Saturday.
Seamus Holland said the plan is to have stall holders and market traders alongside car boot sellers, both indoor and outdoor.
“We have also invited the traders at the Farmers’ Market, who currently sell in Portlaoise on Friday mornings, to take part. The response from everyone has been very positive,” he said.
Local people are very much behind it, and we also expect people to travel from other parts of the country because of the central location and size of this venue.
Not alone have people welcomed it from a trading perspective, but they also like the idea of old-fashioned interaction in buying and selling, Holland said. “There is so much online buying now, and so few opportunities for people, especially those living alone, to get out, meet people and chat. There will be a big social side to the market. Older people have told us that they love the idea.
“It will bring people out, and it will be a family day out. We have decided to run on Saturdays because a lot of other markets and car boot sales are on Sundays, and Saturday is a working day. The venue will open at 7:30am.”
Further information is available from Seamus Holland on: 087-2513094.