Finola Costello

Finola Costello, originally from New Quay but now married and living in Ballyvaughan has held her stall at the Farmers Market since 2005.  Her husband Martin was one of the original traders who helped with the initial set up of the market in 2004  selling his seasonal vegetables alongside his bags of turf and timber.

When Finola joined the market, she started off with her baked goods consisting of apple and rhurbarb tarts, quiches, brown breads and scones, but over the years, she has consistently grown her display of goodies now ensuring that children who visit the market won’t go home disappointed. 

Her main aim is to make sure families who visit can afford a light lunch for as little as €3.50 each.  Finola offers a selection of Teas, Coffee and a wide selection of drinks like cappuccino, latte, chococinos and Americano for a small €2.  She has found that the obvious dessert that is most popular is chocolate so it goes without much thought that she concentrates on making chocolate brownies, krispie buns, chocolate biscuit cakes and cappuccino buns.  You will also find that she sells carrot cakes, gingerbreads, banana breads, sausage rolls and guinness cakes. 

One of the recipes Finola uses is over 60 years old and has proven to be a popular fruit cake with the local customers.  It is a traditional boiled fruit cake which is quite moist and lasts over 6days once it’s kept wrapped.  It is a cake that foreigners often take with them while returning home as it stays fresh for so long.

Over the last two years Finola has introduced her own vegetables that she grows in a polytunnel.  Some of the photographs attached show the variety of vegetables that can easily be grown from home in a small polytunnel.  You will find home grown peppers, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and courgettes at her stall and when in season she will also sell aubergines, watermelons and pumpkins at her stall.

So, when you visit Finola’s stall you won’t be disappointed your sure to find something to take your fancy.