b'FOLKTOWNMARKETCARROTS, CRAIC, COMMUNITY THE IRELAND FUNDS HELP FOLKTOWN MARKETBRING NEW LIFE TO A FORGOTTEN CORNER OF BELFAST ITIS10:45ONATHURSDAYMORNINGAs the market begins to hum with activity, aAnother aim is that the market will serve IN BANK SQUARE, one of the oldest sectionsjazz band plays and the rich scent of roastedas a catalyst for the regeneration of the localof Belfast. 30+ vendors are setting up theirchickenpullsshoppersfromthenearbycommunity. stallsforFolktownMarket,Belfastsfirst CastleCourtShoppingCentretoexplore Thebeautyofitisthatwerehonor-independent outdoor market to be granted athispreviously-ignoredcitysquare.Local inganareathathasbeenunderusedandlicense in 400 years. officeworkerscomedownforasandwich wearecreatingemploymentatthesame For the founders of Folktown Market, theand parents with strollers move through thetime,saysJoby.TheIrelandFundsgrantwait that went into establishing the marketavenue of stalls to pick loaves of locally-bakedreally helped us. It put us on our feet. Also,at times felt like another 400 years. Under a bread.Manypeoplearestrollingthroughthe endorsement of The Ireland Funds made charter originally granted by King James I, theBank Square for the first time. usaseriouspropositiontootherfunders, rights to operate a market belonged to the CityWereproudofthisarea,saysJoby. which was key.Council. However the dream of the FolktownItsonlyrecentlythatpeoplehavestartedTheFolktownMarketisofftoagreatMarketfounders,thatthisonce-neglectedcoming to Bank Square. This neighborhoodstarthavinglaunchedin2015.Jobyisarea could become a gathering space for Bel- is in the mouth of the Falls and the Shankill. already looking to the future. I have a renewedfast residents from all communities, perse- Anditsoneofourgreateststrengthsthat interest in the future as I now have a 13 month vered.themarketisdrawingpeoplefromboth oldson.Ihopewhenhesmyage,hecanIt took six years to negotiate and build thiscommunitiesbecausewehaveanobjectivecome down here to this area, and enjoy theidea, says Folktown Director Joby Fox. Butto connect the city together. Maybe somedaymarket, and the music. Thats what I really hopewe stuck it out and now its a reality.we can take the wall down that is in betweenfor: that when hes my age, well still be here.Thevendorshavebeencarefullychosenthem.with an eye to quality products and fair-trade.connect2015 | 34'