Cork’s iconic English market has been trading since 1788. One of the oldest and certainly the best covered market in Europe, it has survived famine, flood, war, fires, and multiple recessions to remain a strong part of Cork’s retail environment.
“…the stomach and soul of Cork city, it provides nourishment for both… It’s great to have a chat and to look into the eyes of the person selling to you. The market is a true gem…” - Ross Lewis: Chapter One
Significant to the City as a commercial asset, the building is also architecturally significant so is valued as a heritage and tourist attraction.
Renowned as a food market, it is an important part of food culture in Cork, with an emphasis on fresh, local produce with traditional Cork foods as well as an array of international delights.
The stallholders are local and independent food producers or retailers, often with generations of families working in the Market. The traditional serve-over-counter stall trading also ensures that the service to the customer is personal and unique.
The reputation and history of the market has attracted thousands visitors each year – heads of state, celebrities and tourists from across the globe have come to see the market.
In response to Covid-19 many traders have developed services to assist customers - particularly elderly and vulnerable customers – with a range of click/phone and collect and delivery services. For further details click on the links below.
“... a civic space, a meeting place, a thoroughfare, and a bustling social hub of the city. With its variety of products, the pride of place accorded to small traders, the personalised service, the growing emphasis on organic products and reliance on small-scale producers, it is forever popular. A mix of traditional Cork fare and exciting new foods from afar, along with longstanding family-run stalls and newcomers from outside, all contribute to its unique appeal, which is celebrated widely, especially by visitors to the city...” O’Drisceoil & O’Drisceoil, "Serving a City", published by Collins Press www.collinspress.ie
“In my opinion this is the best covered market in the UK and Ireland”
- Rick Stein.