Behind the scenes at Mahon Point's market

Who doesn’t love an outdoor market? And what better place for Cork’s largest Farmers’ Market than at Mahon Point, the most sustainable shopping centre in Ireland?

The former estate of the Crawford family hosts hundreds of eager shoppers, buying, browsing, and enjoying the busy buzz of over 50 stalls offering high-quality, often organic, locally grown, reared, or produced food every Thursday from 10am to 2pm.

Darina Allen’s son-in-law, market coordinator Rupert Hugh Jones, from Shanagarry, is well placed to tell me about the popular Farmers’ Market, which was established in 2006.

“As you can see, the cheery array of umbrella-covered stalls looks great in all weathers,” says Rupert, as he gives me a tour under soft mist.

“Since it all started in 2006, it has gone from strength to strength.”

How did the Farmers’ Market start here at Mahon Point?

“In 2005, I got talking to two dynamic men, John Cantwell and Colm Moran, who were into organic produce,” says Rupert.

“We got chatting and Colm spoke about Dungannon in Northern Ireland as well as other locations that hosted Farmers’ Markets. I thought that there could be an opportunity here, that it might work. A lot of people were very positive about the idea.”

And the Farmers’ Market at Mahon Point, now a firm staple in the community, was born.

Local food is supplied by local people with samplings and tastings on offer before you buy.

The East Cork gourmet genius had decided upon a Midleton Farmers’ Market, giving stall-holders the opportunity to sell locally and affordably as well as offering new people to showcase their home-grown-home produced wares.

“Our stalls at both markets were always well supported,” says Rupert.

“80% of the people who support us here at Mahon Point Farmers’ Market are regulars. The stallholders know their regulars on a first-name basis, which is lovely, and the market atmosphere is always very friendly and welcoming.”Finn

Is it first-come, first-served?

Rupert laughs.

“There is plenty of choice for everybody! Even though there are a few early birds every Thursday!”

Do they get the cream of the crop?

“Very possibly,” says Rupert. “They have it sussed.”

The Farmers’ Market at Mahon Point boasts several Good Food Ireland members including Old Millbank Smokehouse, Woodside Farm, and Gubbeen, with an array of their farmhouse cheeses, salamis, and cured bacon products, alongside other Irish cheeses such as Good Food Ireland’s Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese.

Also present is John Gowan’s Cork Coffee Roasters, which serves his own blend of coffee for sipping while you shop, and Declan Ryan’s Arbutus Bread with a tempting stall full of crusty loaves of every shape, size and style.

There are also local relishes from Macroom, fresh fish from Ballycotton, farm-grown vegetables from Ballintubber and Ballycurraginny, Italian pastas, and locally-made preserves; all these delicious offerings are fit for a king.

“You can grab a bite on the hoof from any of the hot traders,” says Rupert. “The variety is wonderful.”

There weren’t many people eating on the hoof during covid.

“That is for sure,” says Rupert. “Thankfully the majority of our stall- holders survived and stayed committed to setting up shop again at the Farmers’ Market.”

Good quality organic produce can be pricey at the Farmers’ Market, can’t it?

“I think the majority of people do their weekly shop here at Tesco and then come to the market for the atmosphere and to choose some home-produced goods. We provide a different service to that of a supermarket,” says Rupert.

“In Tesco, you can buy a chicken for €6. Here at the market, you could pay up to €20 for an organic chicken.”

Everything sold at the Farmers’ Market is good to go.

“The fish sold here at the market is fished for early in the morning at 4am in Schull or Castletownbere, or Ballycotton, and the freshly caught fish is here at Ollie and Sean O’Driscoll’s fish stall by 10am,” says Rupert.

“The queues at the stall on Thursday mornings are massive.”

Rupert is proud of his baby that is Mahon Point Farmers’ Market, which attracts so many people from Leeside and beyond.

“It’s a little community and all the stall-holders are like family,” he says.

“We are all proud of our achieve-ments and our longevity. We’ve achieved multiple prestigious awards including Good Food Ireland ‘Best Farmers’ Market Award, and McKennas Guide ‘Best in Ireland’ Award multiple years, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.”

Rupert’s ‘baby’ is partnered with the Cork Urban Soil Project, (CUSP), to turn compostable market waste into soil through a bio-digester, contributing to gardens and urban growing projects in Cork.

“It’s all good,” says Rupert. “And it is all thriving.”

The people, not in trading or shopping in the market square, and who are often behind the scenes, keep Mahon Point Shopping Centre looking well and operating well.

Colleagues Maureen O’Shea and Laci Kiejar, both working at Mahon Point for 18 years, take great pride in their work.

“I love it,” says Maureen, who is like the ‘mammy’ at Mahon Point.

“I love the interaction with the customers, I enjoy customer care and dealing with people.”

Maureen looks out for people while surveying every area, making sure it is looking good.

“Some days there are hitches. We may need to attend to somebody not feeling well with first aid. We pay attention to our customers.”

Maureen keeps people on the right track.

“A person with Alzheimer’s lost their bearings here one day,” says Maureen.

“He was looking for his son. We checked the CCTV cameras and found the man’s son, albeit three hours later. The two were reunited. It is lovely to be able to help.”

Maureen is there to help.

“I met an elderly lady in the shopping centre who was crying,” she says.

“The lady had a personal problem. She was reassured and very happy. It is nice to be able to show that we all have a human side.”

Laci takes care of maintenance, and he services the corridors at the shopping centre. Sometimes, he happens upon items that are unaccounted for.

“I found two shirts for €160 each from Hilfiger,” he says.

What did he do with them?

“I brought them back to the shop,” says Laci.

“I figured the customer thought he’d left the shirts there.”

Laci often comes upon curious items in a day’s work.

“In the Food Court, I’ve come across dental braces and phones. I call the customer service desk and then drop the items there for collection.”

Are they always collected?

“Nearly always,” says Laci.

“There is always a huge turnover of lost or misplaced items found here.”

Laci is conscientious.

“Because we are a sustainable shopping centre, I make sure the right rubbish goes into the right bins. That is my responsibility, and I am accountable for it.”

Services manager, Mary O’Connor accounts glowingly for her team.

“I’m here 20 years since January,” says Mary.

“Working here requires a massive team effort and that is what we have.

“At Mahon Point, everyone has an important role to play.”

Twenty years on, the staff at Mahon Point are a great team.

“Yes,” says Mary smiling. “We are all in it together.”