Welcome to the inaugural
Irish Market Trader Awards
Saturday February 27th 2027
About us
Celebrating the heart of Irish market culture.
Any given day, across cities, towns and villages the length and breadth of Ireland, market traders open their stalls before dawn, pack up after dusk, and pour their skill, craft and personality into every single interaction. They are the bakers who perfect a recipe until it's just right, the food truck owners who turn a car park into a destination, the makers and crafters who transform raw materials into something beautiful, and the gifted designers who bring their unique sense of style to rural Ireland.
The Irish Market Trader Awards (IMTA) exist to give these traders the recognition they've long deserved.
We believe market trading isn't just a way of doing business, it's a way of building community. It's the friendly face you see every market morning, the small business taking a big risk, and the local economy thriving one stall at a time. The IMTA was created to shine a light on the passion, resilience and excellence found across Ireland's markets, and to celebrate the people who make them so special.
Open to traders of every kind; food trucks, bakers, food producers, craftspeople, retailers, and everyone in between. The IMTA is a genuine celebration of the diversity and talent that defines modern Irish market life. Whether you've been trading for ten years or ten days, if you pour your heart into what you do, this is your moment to be recognised.
How it works & important dates
Four stages, one night to remember
Stage 1
Nominate
- Nominations open October 1st 2026.
- Nominations close November 23rd 2026.
Nominations open to the public, giving customers, fellow traders and market organisers the chance to put forward the traders who've impressed them most.
Stage 2
Voting Begins
- Voting opens November 30th 2026.
- Finalists announced November 30th 2026.
- Tickets on sale in November.
Our judging panel reviews every nomination to select the finalists in each category, shortlisting the very best of what Ireland's markets have to offer.
Stage 3
Judging Panel
- Voting closes January 25th 2027.
To keep things fair and balanced, winners are decided by a 50/50 split between public vote and expert judging panel, ensuring every winner has earned both the trust of their customers and the respect of industry peers.
Stage 4
The Inaugural IMTA Awards
- The awards night takes place on Saturday, February 27th 2027
The finalists will be celebrated at the first ever Irish Market Trader Awards ceremony, a night dedicated entirely to honouring the excellence, hard work and heart of Ireland's market trading community. The awards will be hosted at Mountain View, Kilkenny, R95 NH31.
IMTA 2027
Award categories
Local Produce
4 awardsCelebrating Ireland's local producers, growers, makers and suppliers who bring the freshest, finest and most distinctive food and beverage products to our local markets.
Street Food
3 awardsCelebrating the chefs, food trucks, gazebos and street food specialists serving unforgettable food at markets across the island of Ireland.
Baked Goods
3 awardsCelebrating the bakers turning simple ingredients, traditional skills and serious passion into the products customers queue for.
Craft
9 awardsCelebrating Ireland's talented makers, designers, artists and independent brands, and the craftsmanship behind the products they bring to market.
Other
5 awardsCelebrating the people, personalities, businesses and stories that make Ireland's market community so special.
Social Media
1 awardsCelebrating the market traders who have turned their business into a brand online.
Sponsored By
Sponsorship & partnerships
Partner With the Irish Market Trader Awards
The Irish Market Trader Awards are about shining a light on the incredible independent businesses, makers, producers and entrepreneurs who bring Ireland’s markets to life.
We’re looking for industry-leading businesses to partner with us as category sponsors and prize partners, helping us give market traders the recognition, exposure and opportunities they deserve.
Your support could do more than put your brand name beside an award. It could genuinely change the trajectory of an independent Irish business.
From business support and professional services to marketing, technology, travel, equipment and experiences, we’re looking for partners who can provide prizes that have real value and make a meaningful difference to our winners.
Become an IMTA Sponsor
As a category sponsor, your business will be directly associated with one of Ireland’s most exciting new awards programmes for independent market traders. It’s an opportunity to put your brand in front of an entrepreneurial, community-minded audience while supporting the people and businesses at the heart of Ireland’s market industry.
We want to build long-term partnerships with brands that believe in independent businesses and want to help them grow.
Could your business provide a prize, opportunity or experience that could genuinely change a trader’s business?
We’d love to hear from you.
Know a trader who deserves this?
One nomination per email address, across as many categories as you like. Nominations open October 1st 2026 and close on November 23rd 2026.