Kilcoole’s New Village Market

Philip at The Village Market SAT18FEB24

t was while chatting to Rachael next door at Eden Gifts about going Full Irish on her stock when we got a shout from the bould Philip next door.

Turns out he and the missus, Sophia, are just about all stocked up for the Monday opening of The Village Market.

And sure, didn’t he want us to have a quick look around inside?

What we initially thought was a traditional corner shop with all your crucial grocery, knick-knack and snack needs turned out to have another hidden room of goodies just beyond the main counter. Filled with toys, toiletries, Paddy’s Day hats, hardware, kitchenware and party decorations, that room then led to another room. Which was filled with flowers, greeting cards, make-up, nerf guns, mops and brushes, surfing boards, teddy bears, chocolates, dolls, gardening equipment, sports gear, spray paint, and the first item you were thinking about, multiplied by 10.

This is one of those Narnia shops that just keep on getting bigger and bigger the deeper you step in, and they seem to stock everything you might need, from pom poms to parachutes, and all points inbetween.

“We want The Village Market to be one of those old-fashioned one-stop shops where you can hopefully get everything and anything you need,” says Philip. “Kilcoole is growing constantly, and people should be able to pop down the road and grab whatever they need in their own town.”

All of which makes perfect sense and good timing, given that the original of the species recently hung up his apron and handed in his badge after 31 years.

Open Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturdays 9am to 6pm, plus Sundays and Bank Holidays 11am to 5pm, there’s little doubt you’ll find whatever you need in The Village Market.

Along with, of course, quite a few things you didn’t know you needed…