History of the Open Fair

The Open Fair builds on a concept developed in the early 1990s by Rural Resettlement Ireland in partnership with Clare VEC. The project was grant-aided as part of the EU Horizon two-year funding programme.

The first Open Fair was held in May 1992 in 12 vocational schools around the county. The concept quickly spread to other counties: in November that year, Open Fairs were held in Kilkenny, Westmeath and Tipperary, and in May 1993, Sligo, Limerick and Mayo joined the movement.

The Open Fairs were a huge success. For instance, Clonmel held its second Open Fair in May 1993. A report at the time revealed that around 4,000 people attended, and sales worth some IR£8,000 to £10,000 were transacted.

Revival

The Open Fair is now being revitalised and broadened as a counterbalance to the current recession.

The project is being part-funded by the generosity of anonymous Irish-American donors via the Ireland Fund. An application has been made to the Department of Public Expenditure for mainstream funding.