Fairs and markets were always part of the life of an Irish town. This tradition continued up to our grandparent's time.
When your granny and granddad were children monthly fairs were held in the local town. At the fair goods such as clothes, tools, food and livestock were sold outside on the streets.
The people of the countryside would get up very early in the morning and travel to the nearest town, bringing food and animals with them to sell at the fair.
The farmer had to walk with his animals all the way to the town. It often took him a few days. He would sleep in a hay barn if he could. Some farmers could carry their smaller animals to the fair on a cart.