Castleisland’s famous ‘Market Town’ past is coming back to taunt it on Sunday morning. Castleisland RFC member, Brian O’Sullivan and a little band of helpers are organising a Car Boot Sale at the rugby club grounds from 11am to 2pm.
“All and anything stall holders can sell will be on the market here on the day. Everything but livestock will be on offer at the event,” said Brian as he and son, Conor peppered the town with all-expenses spared, hand-made posters last evening.
Set Out Stalls
“We’re asking people who intend to set up a stall to be at the Castleisland Rugby Club grounds at 9-30am at the latest. This will give them a chance to find their pitch and set out their stalls at their ease.
“Each stall or stand holder will be charged €10 and there is a €2 charge for those attending – with children free. I don’t know if there was ever a car boot sale in Castleisland before, but this is a first for the rugby club. We’re hoping to have a bouncing castle and that there will be enough food stalls on site to feed the crowds – we’d like to see there on Sunday.
Try Something New
“We thought it might be time to try something new in the line of fundraising and this is what we’ve come up with. I think it will be a healthy mix of fun and entertainment and it will give people a chance to de-clutter.
“It may well have a future here as a regular event and we know it’s a very popular Sunday past-time in a lot of places around Ireland now – so why not here,” Brian asked.
Apparently there is no verifiable origin for what we’ve come to know as the car-boot-sale.
Guarantees Never Sought or Given
However, a Father Harry Clarke, a Catholic priest introduced the concept to the Stockport area of the UK as a charity fundraiser in the early 1970s. He had seen a similar event in Canada while on holiday there earlier.
While the adage ‘let the buyer beware’ should be uppermost in the minds of the browser they should also note that guarantees are never sought or given at car-boot-sales.
Brian O’Sullivan can be contacted on: 086 83 77 832
