Young Laois man brings a taste of Spain to Ballyfin with new market

A very exciting new market is coming to Laois this December.

Young Ballyfin native Daniel Connolly is launching Below the Blooms Market in his hometown which promises to be a hub of vintage clothes, vinyls, books and lots more.

Daniel has just recently returned to Laois from Valencia, Spain where he lived for the past three years.

Daniel studied in Technological University Dublin and then moved to Valencia once he graduated. As well as organising the new market in Ballyfin, Daniel has his hands full as he will also be starting a new job as a stock controller this month.

Speaking to the Leinster Express, he explained that his time in Valencia inspired him to embark on this new venture back home.

“Over there the whole market culture was massive. Every day there would be something different in different parts of the city. In one neighborhood you could find vintage clothes, another place there would be vintage jewellery, and then another place you'd have books or vinyls. That was a great thing in terms of sustainable shopping,” Daniel said.

Sustainability and affordability is at the heart of the new market in Ballyfin, as Daniel explained: “It's cheap and it's accessible for a lot of people. We're kind of under pressure now to be buying stuff online the whole time, whereas I think this is a better option to have and anyone can do this.”

For Daniel, this new market offers an alternative from poor quality online products which he says typically end up in landfills.

The Below the Blooms Market is also rooted in local artistry and independent businesses.

Hinting at what the market will have to offer, Daniel said there will be lots of vintage clothes. A local man from Wolfhill selling very popular retro football jerseys will be among the vendors. A Ballybrittas man, Jake Doyle, will also be offering a screen printing service.

“There will be a screen printing service at it where you can buy T-shirts from us or else you can bring your old T-shirts and upcycle them. So say for example, if you have a plain T-shirt at home that you don't wear anymore, you can give it a new lease of life by screen printing on it,” Daniel said.

The market organiser shared that there will also be a clothes and book swap. People are invited to bring along clothing pieces that they no longer wear and trade them with others at the market. Daniel noted that this is an affordable and sustainable way for people to shop.

But there are lots more on offer other than clothes. Vinyls, organic soaps and candles, honey, and handmade cards will also be available from vendors.

Artists will also attend the market, some will showcase their work while others will be selling pieces.

The very first market will take place at Ballyfin Community Centre on Sunday, December 6 from 10am to 3pm. Daniel hopes that the market will become a regular feature in Ballyfin, with markets taking place every one or two months.

This is Daniel’s first time ever organising a market like this, but as a regular to markets he noticed a big gap in ones that cater to young people in Laois.

“Obviously it's aimed at everyone, but I’m really trying to bring something for people in their late teens to twenties. I feel like there's a gap there for that.”

He also believes it provides a great opportunity to boost tourism in the area.

“It's relatively close to the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Ballyfin, so it could be a great day out where you can spend a couple of hours at the market, head up to Glenbarrow, or there's also a sauna and you can get coffee and food.”

Any local vendors interested in taking part in the Below the Blooms Market can get in touch with Daniel via his social media channels.