Ballinasloe Fair & Festival, often called the Ballinasloe Horse Fair, is an annual week-long festival in early October, centered on one of Europe’s oldest horse fairs 1. Dating back to 1722, it originally served as a large livestock market 2. Today the event combines traditional animal trading (horse and pony shows) with entertainment (music, parades, craft markets). It attracts up to 80,000 visitors, making it a major economic and social event for County Galway 3.
The fair originated as a major livestock market in the 18th century 1, known then as Europe’s largest livestock fair. The town’s Gaelic name reflects its history: 'Ford-mouth of the hostings' 2. It declined mid-20th century but was revitalized after 1948 with a carnival element 3. The modern festival retains horse and pony competitions (“Horse of the Fair”, “Pony of the Fair”) and a parade, continuing the ancient tradition in a family-friendly format 4 5.
Venues and routes
Main Street and Racecourse, Ballinasloe · Ballinasloe
The dates that shape the visit.
Day still being verified
Crowds line the streets to watch horse judging and parade of prize winners
Families enjoy seeing decorated ponies and riders in traditional attire
Reference notes for once this becomes a real plan.
Very high crowds