Fishguard's Market Hall was originally begun c.1830, when what is now solely the Town Hall (NPRN 32125) was constructed as a combined Market and Town Hall. A tithe map of 1844 shows the Hall to the front, facing Market Square, with a long yard filled with covered lean-to stalls at the rear. In the late nineteenth century the Market was divided from the Town Hall, and the current Market building was constructed from rubble masonry, with the roof supported on iron trusses.
Between 1839 and 1844 rural south Wales was plagued by what has become known as the `Rebecca Riots?, when groups dressed as women and calling themselves `Rebecca and Her Daughters? attacked tollgates in protest against the expensive tolls which afflicted those bringing their stock to the market. In 1843 approximately 2,000 rioters occupied Fishguard Square, and the town magistrates and constables were forced to flee. When order was returned and suspects arrested, they were imprisoned in the town's Market Hall.
The building also houses the town's Library and Tourist Information Centre, together with the Last Invasion Gallery, displaying the tapestry which was completed in 1997 to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of the thwarted French Invasion, designed to ape the famous Bayeux Tapestry.

Source: Cadw Listed Buildings Record

K Steele, RCAHMW, 12 January 2009