Hot air ballooning championships returns to Roscommon

For the first time in 30 years, Roscommon County Council, in association with Lough Key Forest & Activity Park and the Irish Ballooning Association, will host the 53rd annual Hot Air Ballooning Championship and Festival.

Lough Key Forest and Activity Park in Boyle will be the venue for this year's championships which take place from September 20-26.

Also known as “The Irish Meet”, the event is the longest-running of its kind and has not been held in Roscommon since 1991.

Now returning to Boyle, the championships are the latest highlight of Roscommon County Council’s ongoing outdoor recreation campaign, 'Breathe in Roscommon', which is a celebration of the county’s natural beauty, historic landscapes, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

First established in 1971, the championships have grown from hosting a handful of hot air balloons to more than 40, featuring pilots from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany and Chile, competing in weeks of challenges to determine the overall winner.

When last held in Boyle, the event attracted many visitors to the county to marvel at the spectacular event, which could be viewed for miles outside the immediate Boyle area.

Those wishing to spectate the championship can do so at 7am and 4.30pm for the morning and afternoon take-offs.

The return of the hot air ballooning championships is part of Roscommon County Council’s 'Breathe in Roscommon' campaign, which launched in April to celebrate the county’s scenic beauty and growing investment in outdoor recreation.

Throughout the summer, visitors and locals alike have enjoyed a packed calendar of events and new attractions, including the opening of the new natural playground and Sculpture Trail at Mote Park, the Gaelforce Great River Swim, the Night and Day Festival at Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, the upcoming Lough Key Triathlon (August 31) and the conclusion of Stage One of Rás Tailteann 2025 in Boyle.

The campaign has placed a strong emphasis on wellbeing, family-friendly adventure, and sustainable tourism in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.