Galway Traders Call for Action on St Nicholas’s Market Upgrades
Sixteen traders at Galway’s iconic St Nicholas’s Market in Churchyard Street have written to Galway City Council, urging the long-promised market upgrade to finally begin.
They’re calling on the council to:
- Commit to an official start date and fully funded project
- Address essential services: electricity, running water, bins, public toilets, lighting, and drainage
- Enforce casual trading byelaws—especially to fill unoccupied stalls and allow new traders to participate
Trader Concerns
Local trader Cáit Curran—who’s been at the market for over 35 years, described the setup as “disgraceful”, highlighting uneven cobbles, dark mornings, and the absence of power for lighting. Paul Illien of The Happy Loaf echoed the call for power points to improve early-morning trades and better surfaces to ensure trader and customer safety.
Traders also pointed out that inactive licences are preventing enthusiastic new sellers from joining, undermining the market’s vibrancy and potential. They’ve suggested, for example, shifting unused spots to younger traders who bring fresh ideas .
What’s Next?
Galway traders have said they’re prepared to take action, including withholding next year’s licence fee unless the council formally commits to:
- A firm upgrade timeline
- Essential infrastructure works
- Enforcement of trading byelaws to fill the market fully.
Galway City Council has yet to respond in detail, but the issue stands as a loud reminder: traders pay fees and rely on safe, well-serviced market spaces—and they expect commensurate investment and support in return.
What It Means for IOMST Members
It’s only fair that when traders pay their fees and show up each week, the basics are there to support them, things like lighting, water, toilets, and bins. These aren’t luxuries. They’re essential for markets to run smoothly and safely.
Enforcing trading byelaws is equally important. If a pitch is licensed but sitting empty week after week, it affects the overall look, energy, and fairness of the market. Strong enforcement supports everyone, especially those who are out there trading in all weather.
If you’re trading in Galway, or anywhere else, it’s worth staying alert to council proposals and upgrades. Don’t be afraid to engage, ask questions, or raise concerns. You know your market better than anyone, and your voice counts.
What’s encouraging is that collective action does work. The traders at St Nicholas’s have shown that when stallholders come together with clear demands, it sends a strong message. Change might not happen overnight, but it starts with traders being informed, united, and heard.
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Grainne & Greg