Music, fireworks and tradition as Ballinasloe Horse Fair set to return
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Ballinasloe is set to come alive this October as the Ballinasloe Horse Fair and Festival returns with a packed programme of traditional events, live music, family entertainment and fireworks.
Ballinasloe Horse Fair is held annually, and is one of Europe’s oldest and largest Horse Fairs, dating back to the 18th century.
This festival is one of the most important social and economic events in the life of the town, which is renowned for horse and pony riding, show jumping and other equestrian activities which take place throughout the year.
The annual event attracts up to 80,000 visitors from all over the world, with many returning to the town year after year.
The Horse Fair will take place on October 4, 5 and 10, with St Michael's Square set to welcome horses, dogs and plenty of visitors as the town celebrates one of its best-known annual events.
The wider Ballinasloe Fair & Festival will run from October 9 to 11, with a host of entertainment planned throughout the weekend.
Local musicians will have their chance to shine with the launch of the Ballinasloe Battle of the Bands.
The competition will take place live on the Fair & Festival Sound Stage on Sunday, October 4, with a €1,000 prize fund up for grabs.
The winning band will take home €500, while €350 will go to second place and €150 to the third-placed act.
Gullanes Hotel will host a History & Heritage Evening on Tuesday, October 6, at 8pm. Presented by Steve Dolan, the talk will bring to life the characters, stories and events that helped shape the famous Fair over 250 years. From sheep and cattle drovers to traders, landlords, Travellers and townspeople, discover the people and moments behind one of Europe’s great fairs.
The festival weekend will get off to a spectacular start on Friday, October 9, when the sky above Ballinasloe will light up with a fireworks display sponsored by Supermac's.
Entertainment will begin at 7pm, with the fireworks scheduled for 8.30pm.
Music will be a major part of this year's celebrations, with a number of popular acts lined up for the Fair & Festival Stage.
Sean Slattery & The Connections will perform on Saturday, October 10, from 3pm to 5pm, bringing a high-energy set featuring classic hits, party favourites and modern chart-toppers spanning four decades.
They will be followed by The Gamblers, who return to the Ballinasloe Fair & Festival Stage from 5pm.
The five-piece band brings more than a decade of experience and combines lively Irish traditional music with well-known pop and rock hits.
Alongside the music, the traditional elements of the fair will remain firmly at the heart of the celebrations.
The main hub for horse trading, showcasing ponies, Connemara ponies, and Irish draughts will be in the Fair Green.
A Vintage Show & Street Display will take place on Main Street and Society Street on Sunday, October 11, as well as a Motorbike Stunt Show, baking competitions, and a dog show.
Visitors can bring their four-legged friends along to St Michael's Square, with the annual Dog Show also forming part of the programme on Sunday, October 12.