Public urged to have their say over future of Athy’s Tuesday Market
The Tuesday Market in its former glory on Emily Square
FOLLOWING the publication of Frank Taaffe’s column in last week’s urging the removal of the 400-year-old Tuesday market from Emily Square in Athy to a more suitable location in the town, local opposition in support of the original site has already began.
Voicing his opposition to Mr Taaffe’s suggestion, posting on social media, for town councillor, Thomas Redmond, stated: “There is a quiet, deliberate move to close down our historic Market, since the remodelling of Emily Square, and ultimately put red tape up so the market cannot operate.” Athy was granted market rights more than 400 years ago, and over that time Emily Square has played home to the popular Tuesday market.
Mr Redmond post went on to state: “It has been dug up repeatedly by the council and service providers, it has hosted public celebrations, and only this week it was wonderful to see crowds of people dancing the conga there.
“So why, after centuries of community use, is there now a push to regulate and sterilise the market square?” he asked.
From my time on the council, I know this debate goes back years.
“Officials repeatedly raised the cost of cleaning the market, but never once prepared a plan or budget to deal with it.
“Almost 15 years ago, one official even tried to rebrand Athy market in the style of Kilkenny’s artisan markets – focussing on expensive bread, honey, and woolly jumpers. “Councillor Paddy Wright (deceased) and I strongly opposed the idea, and public pressure eventually forced the plan to be dropped.
“It seems the current councillors, while pleasant enough, are content to stay quiet on the issue.
“This silence risks the very fabric of our town.
“Rather than pushing the market out of existence through regulation, the council should look at ways to market the Market – investing in proper stalls, applying for staff funding as is done in the UK to keep markets clean, and improving facilities for traders.
“At the same time, important aspects of our local history are being erased.
“In recent months, several Irish Republican plaques have been quietly removed from the Square during work connected to the new Shackleton Museum.
“Whoever authorised this should immediately restore them, because the Emily Square belongs to the whole of Athy – not just to the council or a single family’s legacy.
“The market is every bit as important as, and arguably more important than, a €7 million museum project.
“Tourism, while bringing some benefits, must not come at the cost of wiping away our history and heritage.
“The public consultation recently launched by Kildare County Council on the future of the market is only the start.
“If local people and families do not send in submissions, then those who wish to regulate and restrict the market will succeed by default.
I urge everyone who cares about Athy to have their say, so please make a submission and vote against new regulations on our market”.
