Ballinasloe is a town in the easternmost part of County Galway in Connacht. It is one of the largest towns in County Galway with a population of 6,662 people as of the 2016 census.
Events
Ballinasloe hosts a number of annual events and festivals throughout the year.
October Fair
Sculpture by James McCarthy which monumentalises the Ballinasloe Horse FairMain article: Ballinasloe Horse Fair
The Ballinasloe Horse Fair is held annually in October. It is reputedly the oldest horse fair in Europe and dates back to the 18th century. Chiefly agricultural in the past, it is now focused on the horse, and the associated festival attracts up to 80,000 visitors. A large market typically takes place, along with a number of events, fireworks, a dog show and a fun fair beside Ballinasloe’s town theatre. The 2020 event, which would have been the 298th fair, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Larry Reynolds’ Weekend
The Larry Reynolds’ Weekend is a celebration of traditional Irish music. The event has run annually since 2014, in commemoration of Larry Reynolds, a late Ballinasloe native who emigrated to the United States in 1953 and brought the east Galway style of music to Boston.[34] The festival sees a number of traditional music performances in the different bars around town.
What would have been the seventh event, due to have taken place from 10 September to 13 September 2020, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other events
The Strings Festival, a music event focusing on stringed instruments, was hosted by Ballinasloe library in July 2017 and 2018.
A “Zombie Walk” is held at Halloween on the grounds of the Garbally estate.[37] First held in 2015, the event involves “zombie” tour-guides bringing groups through Garbally woods. The 2019 Zombie Walk event was shortened to one day due to the weather, and the 2020 event was cancelled outright in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland.
Places of interest
- The Battle of Aughrim Interpretive Centre is located in Aughrim, a village close to Ballinasloe. The centre offers insight on how three rival European Kings – William of Orange, James II, and Louis XIV – took hold of Ireland in their struggle for power, gathering at Aughrim in 1691.
- Clontuskert Abbey is a National Monument, located approximately 7 km from the town. The cloister and church of the medieval priory are open-access to the public.
- Hymany Way is a hiking trail between Portumna and Aughrim, following the banks of the River Shannon. The trail passes through Ballinasloe.
- Kilconnell Franciscan Friary is approximately 14 km from Ballinasloe. It was founded in 1353 by William Buí O’Kelly. The medieval friary survives in good condition, with the tombs of its many of its patrons surviving inside its ruins.
- Famine Remembrance Park is a Famine memorial park located approximately 1 km from the town centre in Cleaghmore.
