Newport’s entrepreneurial spirit

Showcasing of local skills and crafts

Local markets are the shop window for the vast range of artistic and skilled craftwork by scores of talented enthusiasts developing their own ‘cottage’ type little industries.

For some, it is more of a hobby than a business, and it is their way of relaxing and doing something which they enjoy in their time of relaxation. For others, it may be the beginning of a greater future and the prospect of a large market for what they do.

The common certainty is that for all, it is a labour of love, turning their talent and skills into creations that are so much admired and finding new homes with their purchasers from near and afar. The country markets are a popular setting for many of them to display their work and get the attention of admirers and some customers for their creations.

The broader Newport area has many of these talented artists, and the annual market is a popular date for many of them to show their wares.

“We have been to several and Newport is by far the most successful for us,” some of the regular exhibitors will say, obviously very pleased with the interest in their products and the resulting purchases by the visitors to their stand. Paintings, ceramics, crochet, as well as a variety of wooden functional ornaments, and some young entrepreneurs offering their home-made fire kindlers will usually feature among the variety on offer.

Helena Rodgers Moran, from the neighbouring Ballinahinch parish, continues to broaden her work each year on scenic hand paintings of some of the most popular scenic spots and historical landmarks over a wide collection of work during her leisure time.

Eleven-year-old, Saoirse O'Connell, from Newport, produces a huge collection of her work in colourful designs and various materials that display the huge talent in needle work of the young student.

Martyna and Carol Swigs are natives of Poland who have been living at Lackamore for more than a decade and display huge talent in computerised laser design in the massive selection of varied work.

Hand crafted embroidery in a varied choice is to be found in abundance from the hands of Elaine Byrne and Karen Enright, from Murroe, with plenty of colour and lots of choices.

Second level students, Nathan Rainsford, Murroe, and his colleague, Lochlan, dismantle old pallets, cutting the sections into suitable lengths and splitting into kindlers with an axe, before offering them to customers for a few euros for a bag, showing their entrepreneurship at a young age and making light of the physical work that is involved.

The imagination of these artists and entrepreneurship is to be much admired and continued success to them with their endeavours as they show their creations.