Food & farmers markets
in Cork.
3 established markets in Co. Cork — trading days, venues, who runs each one, and whether you need a casual trading licence for it.
Mahon Point Farmers Market
Private- Trades
- Thursday, 10am–3pm
- Where
- West entrance, Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Mahon, Cork
- Apply to
- The market manager or operator directly
- Licence
- No council licence needed — it is private land, so the landowner's permission is what counts.
- Checked
- 2026-08-01
Cork's largest farmers market with 50+ stalls, in a shopping-centre car park — private land, so you deal with the market operator rather than the council. A Thursday market is unusual and gives a weekday income stream that does not clash with weekend trade.
Midleton Farmers Market
Community- Trades
- Saturday, 9am–1:30pm
- Where
- Hospital Road, Midleton, Co. Cork
- Apply to
- The organising committee or co-op
- Licence
- Varies — ask. Often on community-owned or church grounds where no council licence is needed.
- Website
- midletonfarmersmarket.com ↗
- Checked
- 2026-08-01
One of the most established farmers markets in the country, in the heart of the east Cork food scene near Ballymaloe. Strong producer focus and a knowledgeable customer base — provenance matters here more than it does in a city centre.
The English Market
Covered- Trades
- Monday–Saturday, 8am–6pm
- Where
- Entrances on Princes Street and Grand Parade, Cork
- Apply to
- The market office or managing trust
- Licence
- No casual trading licence. Stalls are commercial leases, usually multi-year, and turnover is rare.
- Website
- corkcity.ie/en/english-market ↗
- Checked
- 2026-08-01
One of the oldest covered markets in Europe, trading since 1788, and the single most misunderstood trading location in Ireland. Stalls are commercially leased through Cork City Council's English Market office on multi-year terms — it is NOT a casual trading pitch and the council's casual trading regime has nothing to do with it.
If you need a casual trading licence in Cork
Only the council-licensed markets above require one. For a separate on-street pitch anywhere else in Cork, this is who issues it — which one depends on exactly where you pitch.
Questions about market trading in Cork
How many food markets are there in County Cork?
3 established markets in Cork on this list: Mahon Point Farmers Market, Midleton Farmers Market, The English Market. This is a curated set of established markets rather than every casual or seasonal country market in the county.
Do I need a casual trading licence to sell at a market in Cork?
Not for the markets listed here — they are privately operated or covered markets, arranged directly with the operator. You would only need a casual trading licence from Cork City Council or Cork County Council if you wanted a separate on-street pitch in a designated area.
What do I need before trading at a Cork market?
Food business registration with the HSE Environmental Health Service on behalf of the FSAI, normally at least 28 days before trading; public liability insurance at €6.5m minimum; an RGI certificate for any LPG appliance; and a casual trading licence if the market is council-licensed.