Dún Laoghaire Christmas market

Visiting Dublin this December? Swap the city for the seaside and head to the Dún Laoghaire Christmas market for your shopping fix.

The Dún Laoghaire Christmas market is open every weekend until 23 December, at the Pavilion Quarter and dlr LexIcon from 11am to 7pm.

You’ll encounter vendors selling homemade chocolate and food, hand-crafted gifts and decorations, wooden toys and much more. The town is also hosting a Christmas cookery and craft school from 5-6 December. A range of free events will be hosted in the town of Dún Laoghaire during the festive period. See www.dlrevents.ie

Christmas food gifts at Oxfam

Sweet Christmas stocking fillers can be found at Oxfam with the launch of its new festive range throughout the country. The festive treats include Fairtrade Divine Ginger Thins (€4.99) and Fairtrade Divine Dark/Milk Chocolate Coins (€2.49) as well as Mulled Wine Spices (€3.49). The profits from the sale of each Christmas gift will aid families and communities living in extreme poverty, and those affected by emergency situations.

Folláin fights against waste

Folláin Traditional Irish Preserves is fighting against food waste by launching smaller packing across a range of products. The smaller-sized Folláin jams are available in 180g jars in a range of flavours: raspberry and vanilla (winner of two stars at the Great Taste Awards), orange and apricot, strawberry and passion fruit (one star at the Great Taste Awards), and rhubarb and fig. The jams will retail at €1.69.

In addition, Folláin has launched a new website, folláinfoodproject.ie with guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and FoodCloud. The site will provide educational and consumer support through tips on avoiding food waste and a range of recipe ideas. Food waste costs Irish households an estimated €700m every year.

Neven wins at Irish Book Awards

Congratulations to Neven Maguire for winning Avonmore Cookbook of the Year at the Irish Book Awards last week. He won for The Nation’s Favourite Food Fast, which is published by Gill & Macmillan.