The organisers of the first Lough Neagh Artisans Mar-ket have hailed the event a phenomenal success.
Attracting almost 4,000 visitors, food traders sold out in record time at the event at Lock Keeper’s Cottage, Toome.
The market, hosted by Lough Neagh Partnership, was a pilot aimed at showcasing local produce, arts and crafts from the shoreline of Lough Neagh and right across Northern Ireland.
Attended by members of the Lough Neagh Artisans Group, they were joined by artisan traders from across Northern Ireland.
Visitors flocked to the four hour market from as close by as Toome to as far away as Fermanagh.
As well as sampling the sights and sounds and tastes of Lough Neagh, accompanied by local singer Malachi Johnston, they also had an opportunity to take a boat trip along the Toome Canal or enjoy an eel supper at Grans.
Gerry Darby, Strategic Manager at Lough Neagh Partnership, said: “We are so proud of the success of the first Lough Neagh Artisans Market.
“The event was created to showcase the vast array of high quality locally produced goods, from here on our doorstep to right across the country and, with food traders selling out in record time, we certainly achieved what we set out to do.
“I would like to pay tribute to the visitors who attended in their thousands, as they truly made the market the success that it was.
“Lough Neagh Partnership is already exploring ways in which we will be able to make the Lough Neagh Artisans Market a regular feature in our events calendar.”
Roisin Lagan, from DAERA’s NI Regional Food Programme (NIRFP), said: “The Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme was delighted to provide funding support for the first hugely successful Lough Neagh Artisans market.
“This artisan market was an excellent example of customers supporting their local producers by purchasing high quality sustainable Northern Ireland food and drink products.”
To find out more about the Lough Neagh Artisans Group, please
visit www.loughneaghartisans.com or follow Lough Neagh Aristans
on facebook @loughneaghartisans; instagram @loughneaghartisans and
twitter @artisansln.
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