Monday 23 March 2015

A Sunday Market

Several times a year, on warm, sunny Sundays, we visit the Clara Sunday Market & Car Boot Sale.
It’s a family run market which was set up in 1993 to sell new and second hand goods and takes place every week. Situated on the Moate Rd outside Clara, Co. Offaly, the market sits on on a 6 acre site and is only 
15 minutes drive from Tullamore.

We go there when we have something specific to buy but also enjoy a thorough browse amongst the stalls. 
This time we went to buy a garden hoe and I was lucky, for lying in amongst dozens of others was an old forged hoe with a brand new handle. To me this was ideal and far better than a modern pressed steel one which bends as soon as you give them any work. I always feel recycling tools, rather than buying new, is a good idea and better still I purchased it for small money.

You never know who you are going to meet at the market or what you are going to find there, depending on which travelling trader attends. In the past I have met traders from all over Europe selling their wares and friends who were also looking for a bargain. There is always the chance to chat and have a bit of craic, especially over a cup of tea from the small café.
We visit Clara Market with the goods we wish to buy in mind and have usually found what we are looking for, with a few extra bits and pieces we have discovered along the way thrown in. 
My finds so far have included a brand new heavy leather waistcoat, a 1950’s teapot, socks, boots, 
cushion covers, curtains, pottery bowls and other miscellaneous items - it really is a treasure trove.

Traders from all over the place come here.

White vans predominate the scene.

Tool for every job and use. 


I wonder what she is thinking ?


Making a sale involves a lot of chat


One lonely rooster!


Fresh fruit anyone ?


Local produce on old oil drums

18 comments:

  1. I love Clara Market - a great way to spend a lazy Sunday morning and there's always a bargain to be had.

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    1. Aye' fresh air, sunshine a browse around the stalls.

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  2. I saw a coal shovel. I had to describe it to my granddaughter the other day so she could recognize it and bring it from the barn. Wonderful dust pan to sweep bird seed hulls into.

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    1. Thank you Joanne, there were all manner of shovels on display including several beet forks too!

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  3. We have a flea market here, but the goods are shoddy and other stuff overpriced. My husband could use a good hoe, he just bought a new one and I'm sure it will last no longer than its predecessors.

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    1. I guess it's a bit far to come for a hoe Janet :) ?
      Thank you for your interest.

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  4. You'd have to drag me away from there kicking and a screaming, lose myself for hours at such events.
    John

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    1. John am sure you would be amused in Clara market for hours on end.

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  5. I wonder if there is anything like it in my part of the world? (Northbrook, IL, USA)

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    1. I have no idea about that Harlow.however you could always fly over here just for the thrill and people in the market would welcome your prescence wether you spent any money or not :)

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  6. I would never get the farmer away from that tool stall. And I certainly couldn't leave that poor rooster there all on his own - I would have to take him home.

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    1. Your 'Farmer' would feel at home in this market Pat - that's for sure !
      What Mrs H failed to photo was four dark tan pups and her reason was that she would;close her heart to them whilst focussing the camera - a good enough reason I think.

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  7. What a fabulous market, Heron!
    And what an excellent find - I'm envious!
    Hope to get to our Flea Market this spring - if I do go, I'll make sure to take and post photos - on good days, it is crowded like this one is. Not that I need anything specific, mind you, but it is fun to attend, that is for sure.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Carol. Apart from the retail side of the market, it is a good place to go to meet friends and listen to the various dialects and the different languages being spoken; actually it reminds me of some of the Spanish markets that I used to visit years ago - ah memories are sweet !

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  8. Mrs Chairman; "Did you get the milk?"

    Chairman: "Not only that........"

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    1. No milk!

      Only slides for levelling.... you understand ?

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    2. Love Sunday markets and car boots. There are several big ones within an hours drive of us. Prefer to buy second hand most things, stuff that has some of history and has knocked about a bit like us. We can't buy livestock here, though we could in France. Tony always heads for any kind of tools, I for the plants. A most enjoyable way of getting some gentle relaxed exercise and fresh air, and the whole season to look forward to.

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    3. Thank you for the comment Irene; your Tony would have enjoyed himself at Clara for there was umpteen stalls selling tools of every kind and I saw one spanner that was about 3 foot long - I think it is known as a 'Footprint' ?

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