Celebrating Olde Tyme Market Day in Lisnaskea
Supported by funding from the LELP Community Engagement and Farming Fund, Lisnaskea Historical society hosted this year’s Olde Tyme Market Day, in the historic Cornmarket Yard, Lisnaskea, delated due to the pandemic it was magnificent to see a celebration of the traditions of years gone by.
A little rain didn’t dampen the spirits as visitors enjoyed the demonstrations, sales and bartering of the day. The event primarily aims to engage and educate schoolchildren from the town’s three primary schools, St Ronan’s, The Moat and Bun Scoil An Traonaigh in the traditions of an old fair day. Pupils from the school traded and bartered their wares with one another raising funds for their primary schools. This year the market also hosted demonstrations of heritage skills which, except for historic educational events, have almost disappeared in the modern everyday life.
It was also great to welcome Joe Mahon of Mahon’s Way UTV programme who filmed some of the goings on and activities on the day. The series will be shown this summer and we are really looking forward to watching it on UTV! There was much to see, not least the children singing, dancing, displaying their art competition exhibits and their goods for sale to raise funds for their schools.
The finale of the day was the presentation of prizes to the best art entry from each school, chosen by Ken Ramsey, artist, Enniskillen so there were many smiles from the children as they headed homeward, after their treat of ice cream from Happy Cones, taking them back to the present day! A lovely day out. As you’ll see many made the effort to dress up in old style costumes, giving the day that extra nod to the past.
A huge congratualtion to the Lisnaskea Historical Society and all volunteers who made this event sucha huge success The event was supported through funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Lisnaskea Fairs and Markets Committee.
Thank you to all who participated and we look forward to Market Day on 2023.