The third Ormond Castle Market, hosted by Explore Carrick-on-Suir, took place on Saturday 27th September during the vibrant L’Étape Tour de France weekend – and what a celebration it was.

The day began under grey skies and drizzle, but as the boat made its way up the River Suir from Waterford City with our guests, the weather turned, the sun came out, and Carrick-on-Suir came alive. Among our visitors was a cyclist preparing for the L’Étape Tour de France event on Sunday, who joined us to explore the town and experience everything Carrick-on-Suir has to offer.

Inside the historic walls of Ormond Castle, a wonderful mix of artisan vendors and food stalls created a lively atmosphere, with something for everyone to enjoy. From handcrafted goods to delicious produce, the market highlighted the creativity and talent of our region. To bring the day to a close, the Suir Valley Choir filled the castle grounds with music, adding a magical finale.

The energy of the town stretched beyond the castle walls. Earlier in the day, Carrick-on-Suir hosted the L’Étape kids’ fun race, bringing colour, excitement, and joy to our streets, reinforcing our town’s deep-rooted connection to cycling. This tied beautifully into our Get Your Bikes Out campaign, an initiative launched at the start of the month to celebrate Carrick-on-Suir as the Home of Irish Cycling. The response was extraordinary – schools, businesses, and homes across the town decorated their windows, shops, and streets with bikes and wheels, transforming Carrick into a living gallery of cycling pride. The campaign not only brought atmosphere but created a strong sense of belonging and identity for locals and visitors alike.

This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of so many. Sincere thanks to Ollie, Cian, and Sarah and the wider L’Étape team ans a special mention to Shane and all from O’k Cycles. Thank you to our fantastic vendors and their customers, to our supporters, and to everyone who came along to enjoy the market and the weekend’s celebrations.

Carrick-on-Suir is an extraordinary town – one that continues to show what’s possible when community, creativity, and heritage come together. We are proud of what has been achieved, and we look forward to welcoming you to our future initiatives that showcase just how connected we are with our people, our place, and our environment.