Causeway Speciality Market celebrates 20th anniversary with traders from all over NI crediting the event for 'foodie' success

Farm entrepreneur Mervyn Kennedy was among the first artisan traders to sign up for Coleraine’s Causeway Speciality Market back which was launched to support local enterprise back in. 2006.

He’s been an ever-present personality at the monthly market, organised by the Causeway and Glens Council, which takes place in The Diamond.

Causeway Speciality Market has frequently featured up to 60 artisan stalls, including Mervyn’s Kennedy Bacon, along with dozens of local food producers, as well as local chef demonstrations, live entertainment, and family activities.

Mervyn travels every month from Omagh, come rain or shine, to supply his dry-cured bacon, sausages, hams, black puddings and smashed bacon grills to shoppers in the Causeway region. He runs an extensive pig farm just outside Omagh town and prepares all his own bacon for shoppers at Coleraine.

“I wouldn’t miss Causeway Market for the world. I’ve built up an extensive local consumer base and made thousands of good friends who have helped my artisan business prosper over the years.

“I began selling my artisan bacon back there almost 20 years ago. It’s been outstanding for my small business and has helped me on the road to even greater success with leading retailers. I’ve also found Coleraine a great base for developing innovative bacon products such as my latest success, Smashed Bacon Grills,” he added.

“I’ve gained vast experience of dealing directly with shoppers at Coleraine.” Mervyn has built on his success at Coleraine by taking part in other outdoor food markets including Clogher, Ballycastle, Royal Hillsborough and Comber, as well as featuring at Balmoral Show over many years.

Other artisans who have grown business around the province and further afield include Shay Mullan, a founder of Tom and Ollie, a small business in Dunmurry specialising in Mediterranean foods such as olives, culinary tapenades, pesto, pastes and a wide range of local and international cheeses.

A native of Randalstown, Shay said: “Causeway Market has been great for our unique business model. It’s provided a strong base for growth, especially during the tourist season when visitors from around the world buy our distinctive mezze products and cheeses.

"Success at Coleraine has enabled us to push into other markets and to link up with major distributors which has led to significant sales across Northern Ireland and into the Republic of Ireland.”

Lynne Gardiner, the owner of specialist bakery Amazin’ Grazin’ from Portstewart, has become a major taste success with her delicious handcrafted traditional Irish wheaten breads and ‘bake at home kits’.

“I love Coleraine market. It helped me launch my small business and continues to provide a steady income and to enable me to gain wider recognition through, for example, UK Great Taste Awards,” added Lynne, who bakes her winning wheaten loaves in her home kitchen from high quality local ingredients.

Other successes include Granny Shaw’s Fudge and Chocolates from Ballymena, Tully Farm, which has introduced thousands of shoppers to beef from Irish Moiled Cattle and Dexters, and Chestnutt’s Dairy Farm from Portrush which has launched innovative foods there including a Greek-style natural yoghurt.

Run by the Causeway Coast and Glens Council’s Towns and Village Team, Causeway Market has also become a huge tourist attraction during the season. The Council began celebrating the 20th anniversary in April and plans a major celebration event on July 11 that will recognise “two decades of talented makers, local produce, artisan craft, creativity and of course community”.