Two-day Christmas market to take place at Clonmel's Kickham Barracks Plaza this weekend

Final preparations are being put in place for the first outdoor Christmas Market on Clonmel’s Kickham Barracks Plaza this weekend.

It is hoped that the people of Clonmel and surrounding areas will make a huge effort to support this festive initiative organised by Transition Year students from the town’s four secondary schools.

There will be more than 40 stands, a free Santa’s grotto and live entertainment.

It promises to be a magical two-day event starting on Saturday, December 16 at 12pm and finishing on Sunday, December 17 at 5pm.

The students are overwhelmed with the goodwill from the local community and are very grateful to Carol Creighton of Tipperary County Council, Tina Mulhearne of the Local Enterprise Office, Stephen Power of Foróige, ESB Networks and Lidl for all the positive support they have received to date.

The stalls are made up of local businesses and crafts people, who are delighted to be given the opportunity to showcase their beautiful products, which include books, candles, floral and Christmas decorations, knitwear, cheese, home baking, wood turning, artwork, jewellery and lots more.

Enterprising students from the four schools will also display and sell their products and no doubt people will see first hand that there is hope for the future with these bright, young, inspiring, innovative students. One of the many highlights will be the continuous free entertainment that will add to the magical festive atmosphere. The calibre of free entertainment is not to be missed as both students and well-known artists take to the stage to perform.

The music will kick off at 12pm on Saturday with solo performances by students followed by SS Peter & Paul’s Primary School Band led by Yvonne Moran at 2.30pm.

In the Chapel on the Plaza, Helena Tobin, Artistic Director of South Tipperary Arts Centre is hosting a drop-in Christmas Singalong from 2.30pm – 4pm. This event will be led by Eamon O’Malley along with members of local choirs and guest performances by local musicians.

“The whole idea is that it is an open door offering of fun and music, encouraging people to drop-in and sing along at any point between 2.30pm and 4pm,” said Helen.

When this finishes a Ukrainian Choir made up of adults and children will perform led by Marina Moskalyk, who is “honoured to be included in such a wonderful community event”.