Longford attendees spoilt for choice at Newtownforbes Christmas Craft and Artisan Fair

Having just marked its 11th year in operation, the Newtownforbes Christmas Craft and Artisan Fair - as organised by sisters Ann Devlin and Olive Quinn - has grown to become such a success, there is a waiting list for traders wanting to become involved.

Held annually on the third Sunday of November in the Newtownforbes GAA complex, the fair raises money for different local charities each year. This year, the beneficiaries were County Longford Hospice Home Care and the recently established Clonguish Community First Responders.

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With close to forty traders, attendees were spoilt for choice with the wide selection of food and craft offerings from traders.

From knittings, crochets, and jewellery, to flowers, cakes, paintings, and even Christmas decorations, there was an impressively large variety in terms of offerings. There was even pizza thanks to the man known locally as The Pizza Cutter, Kieran Carberry. To help raise additional funds, a raffle - sponsored by the founders Ann and Olive - was also held on the day.
Speaking about this year’s fair, Ann described it as “exceptional in terms of the atmosphere, the weather, and the footfall on the day.”

“There's a huge amount of work that goes into it, but it’s for the benefit of the local community. Apart from myself and Olive, there’s a background team of husbands, Seamus Quinn and Tony Devlin, and sons too, and they all help with the heavy lifting; the usual that needs doing to get this up and running.”

“Clonguish GAA have always been so good to facilitate us with the use of their hall. It's great to have that and the car parking.”

This year’s Christmas Craft and Artisan Fair in Newtownforbes also marked the entrepreneurial debut of two young up-and-coming business owners.

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Explains Ann, “We had two little traders join us this year. Noah Devlin, who's my grandson, was selling his own candles and Lily Ann Wall, who was selling handmade crochet and jewellery items. She had her own stall and was there with her dad the whole day. Noah and Lily Ann were great. When Noah ran out of Christmas candles, real little entrepreneur that he is, he actually said to people, ‘well, I've actually run out of that, but you can put it on order!’