The Limerick Georgian Quarter Christmas Market

I can't believe Christmas is already upon us! But don't I say that every year? December is a big month for me not just for Christmas but because it is my daughters birthday on the 8th (this year she'll be 9) and my husband's birthday on the 20th (this year he'll be 34) and then Christmas - so it's busy but fun and our daughter seems to relish the season more and more each year. Children really keep the magic alive!


I just wanted you all to know about this great Christmas market running in Limerick. Today at 3:00pm the Limerick Georgian Christmas Market opens up at No. 1 Pery Square. It will run until 7pm tonight and then Saturday and Sunday from 12- 5pm. I'll be heading into Limerick tomorrow with my daughter to check it out and visit some of my favourite stalls.



Sponsored by Shannon Development and in association with Limerick's Winterfest 2009 - the market was inspired by a successful June market. This time the idea was to do something on an even larger scale and to tie in more local food producers as well.



Exhibitor include:



Creative Wave Christmas Cards

Olio e Farina (featured on my blog on 10th June)

Sequoia Lane (featured on my blog on 23rd April and 16th July )

The Wine Shop

Brasserie One Christmas Puddings and Cheese Boards

Askeaton Apples

Amooz Kids Stuff

Pandora Bell (featured on my blog on 18th September)

Ponaire Coffee

Forgotten Silver Jewellery

Contemporary Fine Art

La Boheme Vintage and Designer Clothes

Adeles Gift

InStore

Be sure to try and stop by over the weekend - there are loads of other activities going on throughout Limerick as their Winterfest 2009 kicks off!

Nenagh Launches Discount Scheme for Christmas Shoppers

I wanted to let you know that Nenagh has launched a special 'Discount Scheme' that will run 1st November until 10th December. This is in collaboration with the Nenagh Chamber of Commerce, The Abbey Court Hotel and Nenagh Businesses. There are 42 businesses involved with the scheme and from December 1-6 (or perhaps earlier, but need to get some images and talk to business owners) I will be giving you a closer look at some of the businesses involved - with more details about their products, inside their premises etc.

For now, I'm going to give you the complete list of businesses involved and encourage you to make a day of it in Nenagh - do some shopping - have a lunch out and have a walk through our beautiful town.
Each business is marked on the map below so you can find them easily....here's the list:

Ladies Clothes

1. Aneva

2. Edels

3. Katwalk

4. Mimi & Bow

5. Primadonna's

6. Rumple Silk Skins

7. Sixty-Three

8. Mum 2 B

9. JR Fashion 10% Off on purchases over €200

10. Sheer Elegance

11. Chique Lady

12. Gough O'Keefe & Naughton Ladies Wear


Gents Clothes

13. Jim McLoughney Menswear

14. Gough O'Keefe & Noughton Mens Wear

15. Jack & Jones Clothing

16. Ryan & Harty Menswear

17. Talbot's Menswear



Accessories/Shoes/Others

18. Secrets Bridal Wear

19. Healthyme.ie

20. Walsh's Shoes

21. Sportsmans Dream

22. Polkadot

23. Solemates

24. Eclipse 20% Off all purchases over €50



Children's Clothes

25. Wheat 15% Off

26. ZaZa's 15% Off

27. Name It

28. Precious Years 15$ off Childrens Clothes



Toys/Gifts

29. Moynan's Bike Shop 10% Off all Bikes

30. Funky Gifts 20% Off

31. Ger Gavin's House of Gifts

32. Ray Walsh Pharmacy 10% Off Number 7, Isadora & Pilgrim

33. Breda Fitzgibbon Jewellers

34. Breo Jewellers and Gifts

35. Irish Soap and Candle Company 20% Off

36. Cahills Jewellers

37. Tadhg O'Flynn Jewellers 15% Off Purchases over €50



Dining Out

38. Peppermill

39. Pepe's

40. Country Choice 10% Off with Special Deals for Diners

41. Roots

42. Maximus Night Club Concession Available

** Except where noted, businesses are offering 10% off almost everything.

From November 30- December 5th, my plan is to do a week long focus on shops in Nenagh with photographs and more details about the products on sale. Contact me directly if you have any questions!

O'Donovan's Auctioneers in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick

A couple of weeks ago, The Limerick Leader asked to write up some editorial on O'Donovan's Auctioneers that was finally re-opening after suffering extensive flood damage from the flooding of August 2008. I had no idea what to expect when I got there and had only driven through Newcastle West en route to Kilkenny. I was delighted that this time I could take a bit more time to wander around this charming town. And I was also delighted with what I found at O'Donovan's. In the two years I've been in Ireland I honestly have not found such a wonderful treasure trove of vintage goodies. Spoiled by the flea-markets of New York - it was definitely something I craved.

When the floods came in 2008, the water was eight feet high in this space and it has taken some doing to get it re-opened again. Their first auction was held on 14th November and they will be having regular auctions now that it is officially re-opened.

The main part of the space is choc a block full of furniture - chairs, tables, bureaus - laid out on the floor and even hanging from the walls.

What I love about places is like this is the thrill of the hunt - the prices are very reasonable and it's a great way to add a bit of history into your home. I'm all for mixing old with new.

I came across this hutch in one corner and its shelves were heaving from old marmalade jars - as I child I recall my father had loads of old Dundee jars throughout his studio for keeping his paintbrushes and other tools of his trade. (I'm sure I've mentioned that my father is also an artist - note to self - put some of his work up on my blog!! - he has a very different style from my mother but equally as wonderful and I do consider myself so lucky to have such creative parents) I've always loved these jars - the new ones just aren't the same. I think I'm going to have to sneak back and get a few for my office - perfect for storing my multiple pens and pencils that end up all over the house!

There's an old fireplace set up with all the traditional accessories one might find in an old Irish cottage. For the enthusiast that wants to re-create that look at home - O'Donovan's is the perfect place to shop.

At the entry are shelves groaning under the weight of books ranging in subject from sports to Irish interest and glass cases filled with collectibles such as Bellek, Capo di Monte Italian pieces, Waterford Crystal, Aynsley, Staffordshire along with vintage jewellery and silver pieces. An old fireplace has been outfitted with old cooking pots and accessories so if you wanted to create a traditional setting in your own home, all the elements are here. There are antique oil lamps, coins and bank notes mixed in with old fishing reels.

Throughout the space you’ll find a fantastic range of furniture from a rosewood piano to mahogany dressers and tables. There are brass fire guards and accessories mixed in with swords and bayonets. From floor to ceiling the walls are covered with paintings and the back wall has become a chair display with sets of chairs, including two charming children’s chairs, actually hanging on the walls. There are iron garden furniture pieces along with old bicycles, a vintage plough and even a car.

Antique garden pieces fill the back corner - I'm looking for an arched trellis for our front garden to grow climbing roses for next year - so I'll be back to find something suitable. Love these big iron urns!! They'd certainly make a statement outside our house.

O’Donovan’s & Associates is located at The Key House, Newcastle West. Tel: 069-62713 or at http://www.odonovan.ie/.
The website is really for the house auctioneer side of the business but you can ring them up to find out when their next auction is. They’ll be holding auctions every two months as they are now the only auction house in County Limerick (including the city) so demand is high for quality pieces such as can be found in their premises. Plus, during a recession - this is a great place to shop and it is the ultimate in re-cycling and re-using - most vintage pieces are sturdy and hardy and withstand the test of time.