It Takes A Village: Browse the market stalls at Tiny Traders Village

The National Geographic Society explains that in “most parts of the world, villages are settlements of people clustered around a central point.” That is certainly true of Tiny Traders Village, one of Galway’s most-beloved pop-up markets. Far more than just a selection of market stalls featuring local designs and delicious food, this is a community of people, artists, crafters, bakers, chefs, baristas, writers, performers, and more, all converging in one famous Galway location every weekend to meet like-minded people and show the world what they can do!

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The social element of Tiny Traders Village is a major component of what makes this market so popular. The people browsing the stalls are happy to meet the people behind the creations, and the traders are happy to meet their peers. An impressive 70% of the traders are regulars, manning a stall and selling their wares to customers every weekend at Tiny Traders Village. The traders all support each other, buying from other stalls and even inviting friends to take their slot if they can’t make it to a particular market. They prop each other up, not competitively push down.

Paul David Murphy, the organiser of the Tiny Traders Village markets, says it’s all about supporting local people while giving space for independent arts and crafts. That’s why he has committed to making it affordable for the traders, offering a low barrier-to-entry and a platform with less pressure on sales figures. This results in more creative freedom and more interesting creations, which customers love to browse! “Making it a more open platform means punters might take inspiration from the stalls and traders and think ‘I might do something like that myself’, and why not?” Paul says.

While Tiny Traders Village has been on the go for a few years now, it has seen a huge growth in support and popularity in recent times, getting the backing of Galway City Council to host a market in the city every weekend of summer. Reflecting on this stamp of approval, Paul explains; “Regularity is key because then people can make a living out of it”. This regularity provides an opportunity for street food vendors, vintage clothes sellers, independent artists, live entertainers, and local musicians by offering them a reliable place to ply their trade.

On any given weekend, you will find Tiny Traders Village in either Eyre Square or Spanish Arch. Eyre Square is an ideal spot, right in the heart of the city and near all the trains, buses and transport options into Galway. You can grab a bite to eat and sit beneath the shade of a tree or on the park benches. When it’s not in Eyre Square, simply take the short walk down Galway’s main thoroughfare to Spanish Arch, one of the city’s most picturesque locations to browse the market stalls with the sound of the River Corrib flowing by. On a sunny day, there’s nowhere better to be in Galway than Spanish Arch! Follow @tinytradersvillage on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date on where they will be popping up in Galway next.

All photos by Ciarán MacChoncarraige