This is my first guide so be gentle...

Ive never found a Definitive list of Irish Car Boot Sales & Markets and as a kitchenalia seller i spend a lot of my time looking for them. Markets can vary greatly in style from ones that provide mostly new clothing stalls to ones that are filled to the brim with cheap antique treasures. Before you dedicate your Sunday to tracking one down, read my reviews and you might be able to make a more informed decision...

Fethard Antiques Fair is one of the most organised Sunday markets ive ever been to. It doesnt open til 11am (stallholders are allowed in earlier to get set up) Then they open the gates and people filter through stalls that are perfectly set up already (no queing at the back of a car at 6am to get the first bargain here!) The market is housed in the yard of a Transport Museum which is impeccably tidy and the ground is quite level and compacted for older treasure hunters.

The stalls are split into 2 different styles:

• The first, are rows of haulage containers which are set up like mini aladdin's caves. These are fabulous treasure troves, although they are quite small (2-3 people max would fit in them at a time) and if youre nervous around delicate antiques make sure youre in one on your own. These containers (almost mini antique shops) are stationery and operated by the same people every week. But dont let this put you off, ive never seen the same stock laid out 2 weeks in a row.
• The second style of stalls in fethard are your regular car boot variety. Large trucks and cars with all their wares laid out on tables or on the ground in front. These are less organised than the containers but some of the sellers were obviously in Fethard to capitalise on the "antiques" buyers and because of this were overpricing everything. Some were really chancing it, one was selling an old damaged enamel breadbin for 60euro !!
  

When i first visited this fair i had low expectations about finding a bargain. The fact that it was shopped as an "antiques fair" and the quality of the containers frightened me a little. I thought everything was going to be insanely expensive. I was even reluctant to ask the prices of items i liked for the first hour. When i did, i was shocked at how cheap the items were.

I bought a lot of old kitchenalia from the "container sellers" who seemed to be regulars there and knew what prices they needed to achieve sales. A lot of the utensils and collectables i purchased were around the 1euro mark (which is great).

Conclusion:
This market is a great place for decorative antiques, ceramics, costume jewellery, retro household items and collectables. It is not good for salvage or large old pieces. The stock is very clean,tidy and beautifully displayed but dont be put off by this and think its going to be out of your price range. Try to arrive on time and make sure to check out the "container sellers" before the "basic car boot sellers".

Notes:

• There is a charge to enter (2euro last time i went)
• There is a large free carpark behind the market and some extra parking out front if you get there early. 
• Opening/Closing times differ from winter to summer in winter it opens at 11 closes at 3
  (they are very strict about the closing time. if you get there at 2.30 they wont let you in regardless of if youre willing to pay)
• The containers are very cramped so dont wear large coats/bags that might snag.
• Address: Fethard Antiques Fair, Cashel Road, Fethard, South County Tipperary