The development of the site for the Saint Stephen's Green shopping centre spells the end of The Dandelion Market.
The Dandelion Market moved to Gaiety Green next to Saint Stephen's Green in 1973. Construction of the Saint Stephen's Green shopping centre got under way in 1981 and the development plans axe do not include the Dandelion Market.
For the few remaining stallholders, the reprieve they got two months ago to continue trading is about to expire. They are extremely unhappy about the decision to close the market arguing it is not just a trading centre but also an important tourist attraction.
We’ve had Bord Fáilte through, we’ve been in the Patrick's Day parade through Dublin Tourism and quite a few other things, we’ve been in the Aer Lingus Inflight magazine so obviously they must think we’re a tourist attraction as well.
Stall holder Carol McGee is distraught about the market closing. She is dependent on the income earned from weekend market trade. She has one member of staff working for her who is also completely reliant on the small income derived from the market. Unfortunately it may be only a matter of days until the Dandelion Market is history.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 4 January 1981. The reporter is Kate Smith.
Broadcasters Ian Dempsey and Barry Lang at the Gaiety Green (1980)
