Irish fairs and markets

Studies in local history

Denis A. Cronin, Jim Gilligan & Karina Holton, editors

This book is the first major study of buying and selling at local level in Ireland. The contributors analyse different aspects of the exchange and sale of goods at fairs, markets and shops from the middle ages to the present day. Assemblies at fairs and markets brought together people form very different social backgrounds and played an important part in shaping local society. Town met country, farmer met trader, and the influences of the wider world were introduced into the local culture. These essays highlight the diversity of the Irish local experience in trading and make a fundamental contribution to our understanding of the evolution of Irish society.

The contributors are all graduates of the MA in local history programme at NUI Maynooth.