Behind the Markets
Jackie Spillane
Jackie Spillane left UCD in 1991 and moved to NYC for five years where she worked in market research and analysis. In 1996, Jackie moved back home to Dublin and formed a limited company with her sister and they sold their own range of jams, marmalades, and dessert sauces to the multiples around Ireland. After a few years of this, they opened a farm shop in Airfield in Dundrum where they hoped to bring a ‘slice of the Temple Bar market’ to South Co. Dublin. When the pair ran into lease issues with Airfield after three years, Jackie was approached by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and asked whether she would consider taking on their summer market, which she was happy to do. During that time, Jackie submitted a proposal to run the market all year long and introduce two other markets in the area. The proposal was accepted and Blackrock Park Market and Marlay Park Market came to life starting Jackie’s journey in the market world.
Today Jackie runs six markets each week, Cherrywood, Central Park, Merrion Square, Herbert Park, St. Patrick’s Park and St. Anne’s Park, Jackie intends to open two more markets in the near future. One thing for sure, with Jackie around, the future is certainly bright!
Our Partners
At Spillane World Markets, we could not bring the markets to life without the support of our partners. Dublin City Council and Local Enterprise offices have been a great help to us over the years offering advice, training and supports to help us become the markets we are today.
We also work closely with the teams behind IOMST and MAST who offer public liability insurance to market vendors looking to trade at our markets.
Every year we also collaborate with a number of exciting events in our markets including the Dublin Literature Festival, Big Grill, and Stokerland Festival.
Other projects
When not running markets, Jackie is actively involved in the Wicklow Democratic School, a unique educational institution that follows the principles of Sudbury education; freedom, responsibility, and democracy. Co-Founded by Jackie in 2019, the school provides a non-coercive learning environment where students, aged 4-18, have the ability to direct their own education. At Wicklow Democratic School, students are encouraged to pursue their interests, engage in self-directed learning, and participate in decision-making processes that affect the community. The school values each student as an individual and aims to foster a sense of community, respect, and collaboration among its members. With a focus on holistic development and personal growth, Wicklow Democratic School offers a progressive and empowering approach to education. Jackie is a member of the board of education today.
Meet the Team
The Faces behind our Markets
Mary-Aoife Ong
Manager St. Patrick’s Park
Ivan
Manager of Herbert, Merrion & St. Anne’s Park Markets
Eamonn
Support Manager
Jackie Spillane
Managing Director
Thinking about joining one of our markets?
We have a great bunch of vendors at our markets who all value community, unity and connection. We always love welcoming new vendors to our markets!