IMTA

IMTA 2027

Award Categories

For all awards please include the name of the business, a market they trade at and a contact email for them. Please also describe WHY you've decided to nominate them, as this will support their nomination in progressing to the next stage.

Nominate in any of these 25 categories

Local Produce

Celebrating Ireland's local producers, growers, makers and suppliers who bring the freshest, finest and most distinctive food and beverage products to our local markets.

  • 1

    Best From the Ground

    Celebrating the growers bringing the very best of Ireland’s soil to market. From fresh fruit and vegetables to beautiful flowers, plants, herbs and more, this award recognises exceptional growers who combine quality, seasonality, knowledge and passion to produce something customers genuinely value. We’re looking for traders who champion Irish growing, take pride in their produce and bring a little bit of the land to life at every market.

  • 2

    Best Meat Producer

    For the producers, butchers and farmers delivering exceptional meat with quality and provenance at its heart. We're looking for businesses that champion Irish farming, know exactly where their produce comes from and take genuine pride in the quality, presentation and craft behind every cut.

  • 3

    Best Pantry Staple

    The products customers can't leave the market without. From jams, chutneys and preserves to sauces, oils, dressings, relishes and other store-cupboard favourites, this award celebrates the everyday essentials that have been elevated into something genuinely special.

  • 4

    Best Beverage

    For the drinks businesses giving Irish market shoppers something worth stopping for. Whether it's expertly roasted coffee, freshly pressed juice, artisan cordials, kombucha, craft beer or another distinctive drink, we're looking for exceptional taste, quality, originality and a product people love to come back for.

Street Food

Celebrating the chefs, food trucks, gazebos and street food specialists serving unforgettable food at markets across the island of Ireland.

  • 5

    Best International Street Food

    Taking Irish customers on a culinary trip around the world, without leaving the market. This award celebrates traders serving authentic and exciting international cuisine, showcasing flavours, techniques and dishes inspired by cultures from across the globe.

  • 6

    Best Menu Item or Hero Dish

    What's the dish everyone talks about at your local market? The one customers queue for, recommend to their friends and come back week on week for? This award celebrates the signature dish that defines a street food brand and has earned a reputation of its own.

  • 7

    Best Street Food in Ireland

    The ultimate street food title. Celebrating the street food business that has made a lasting impression on customers across Ireland. This award recognises exceptional food, creativity, consistency, presentation, customer experience and a brand people remember. Whether it’s a beloved local favourite or a trader making waves across the country, we’re looking for the street food business that truly deserves to be crowned the best in Ireland 2027.

Baked Goods

Celebrating the bakers turning simple ingredients, traditional skills and serious passion into the products customers queue for.

  • 8

    Best Pastry

    For the bakers who make pastry look and taste effortless. From flaky croissants and pain au chocolat to Danish pastries, tarts and savoury creations, this award recognises technical skill, quality ingredients, consistency and that all-important “just one more” factor.

  • 9

    Best Bread

    Celebrating exceptional bread in all its forms. From beautifully fermented sourdough and traditional Irish loaves to inventive and contemporary creations, we're looking for outstanding flavour, texture, technique and craftsmanship.

  • 10

    Best Sweet Treat

    For the cakes, cookies, brownies, traybakes, doughnuts and sweet creations that customers simply can't resist. This award celebrates businesses that have mastered the art of creating something delicious, memorable and worthy of a return visit. What sweet treat do you crave from your local market?

Craft

Celebrating Ireland's talented makers, designers, artists and independent brands, and the craftsmanship behind the products they bring to market.

  • 11

    Best Pottery

    Celebrating ceramicists and potters creating pieces that are as beautiful as they are functional. From handmade mugs and tableware to sculptural and decorative pieces, this award recognises originality, craftsmanship, design and attention to detail.

  • 12

    Best Artist

    Celebrating the visual artists bringing their creativity directly to the public through markets. From painting and illustration to mixed media and contemporary art, this award recognises originality, artistic skill and a distinctive creative voice.

  • 13

    Best Lifestyle Product

    For the brands creating products that make everyday life a little more beautiful, useful or enjoyable. From homeware and interiors to candles, accessories and lifestyle goods, this award recognises thoughtful design, quality and strong customer appeal.

  • 14

    Best Irish Culture & Heritage Brand

    Celebrating businesses keeping Irish culture, stories, traditions, language and heritage alive through modern products. This award recognises brands that draw inspiration from Ireland's past while creating something relevant and exciting for today's customer.

  • 15

    Best Handcrafted

    For the makers whose hands are at the heart of their business. From woodworking and crochet to weaving, leatherwork, basketry, textiles and beyond, this award celebrates exceptional craftsmanship, skill, originality and the time invested in making something by hand.

  • 16

    Best Vintage Trader

    Celebrating the traders with an eye for the extraordinary. Whether sourcing vintage fashion, furniture, homeware, collectibles or one-of-a-kind treasures, this award recognises businesses that give pre-loved pieces a new life and make vintage shopping an experience.

  • 17

    Best Jewellery

    For jewellery designers creating pieces customers genuinely treasure. This award celebrates originality, craftsmanship, quality materials, design and a strong sense of identity, whether the style is delicate and timeless, bold and contemporary or completely unique. This award celebrates the talented people handcrafting timeless pieces.

  • 18

    Best Fashion Trader

    Celebrating Irish fashion and accessories brands making an impression at markets. From clothing and knitwear to bags, hats and accessories, this award recognises distinctive design, quality, originality and brands that have built a loyal customer following.

  • 19

    Best Skincare

    Celebrating the small Irish skincare brands creating products that are genuinely innovative and that customers truly love. From natural and botanical formulations to innovative beauty products, this award recognises exceptional quality, thoughtful formulation, beautiful branding and a strong connection with customers. We're looking for a skincare brand that combines great products with a distinctive identity and has made a real impression at markets across Ireland.

Other

Celebrating the people, personalities, businesses and stories that make Ireland's market community so special.

  • 20

    Best Sustainable Trader

    Celebrating a trader genuinely putting sustainability into practice. This could be through locally sourced materials, minimal packaging, reuse, recycling, ethical production, low-waste practices or an innovative approach to running a more sustainable business. We're looking for meaningful action, not just good intentions.

  • 21

    Over 65's Award

    For traders aged 65+. Experience counts. This award celebrates the market traders aged 65 and over whose knowledge, resilience, passion and dedication have made them a much-loved part of Ireland's market community. Whether they've been trading for decades or only started later in life, we want to celebrate the people who prove there's no age limit on entrepreneurship.

  • 22

    Best Family Business

    Celebrating businesses where family is at the heart of the operation. Whether it's a husband-and-wife team, siblings, parents and children or multiple generations working together, this award recognises the passion, resilience and shared values that make family businesses special.

  • 23

    Best Personality Behind the Business

    Some traders don't just sell a product, they sell the experience. This award celebrates the personality, passion and charisma behind the stall. We're looking for the traders customers remember, recommend and return to because of the person as much as the product. Who comes to mind when you think of a strong personal brand either online or in-person?

  • 24

    Best Origin Story

    Every market trader has a story. This award celebrates the journey behind the business, whether it's overcoming adversity, turning a passion into a career, starting a business later in life, rebuilding after a setback or simply taking a leap of faith. We're looking for a story that demonstrates determination, resilience and heart.

Social Media

Celebrating the market traders who have turned their business into a brand online.

  • 25

    Best Social Media Profile

    Celebrating the market traders who know how to turn their business into a brand online. This award recognises a social media profile that captures the personality, products and story of a business while creating genuine connection with its audience. Whether through beautiful photography, entertaining video, creative content, behind-the-scenes moments or clever storytelling, we’re looking for a trader who consistently stands out, engages their community and makes people want to visit their stall in real life.