It is europes oldest and largest horse fair, dating back to the 18th century. Ballinasloe horse fair expected to draw 80,000 visitors. The fair is a meeting point of the irish travellers, an itinerant community with strong traditions. Thousands attend ballinasloe horse fair sun shone on europes oldest horse fair, but sulky races banned for safety reasons mon, oct 5, 2015, 01. Young bellew, unfortunately, accompanied his father to this celebrated meeting, well known as the october fair. Mar 28, 2018 the ballinasloe october fair is known for its horsedealing, crowded streets, and roaming minstrels. Heritage ballinasloe official town website all the latest. The ballinasloe horse fair is a fixture in the lives of the people of south east galway. This planned layout of the town in the 19th century consisting of wide streets, a market square, fair green, show grounds and town hall can be attributed to william trench, who was conferred with the earldom of clancarty at this time.
The irish society for protection of animals was on scene, as were gardai. The ballinasloe horse fair is thought to be the oldest in europe, always beginning on the saturday before the first tuesday in october. The horse fair by rosa bonheur a horse fair is normally an annual fair where people buy and sell horses. Many books of the period on the topic of domestic medicine are also favourably. Pipe smoking dogs, and other memories from past ballinasloe.
Some of the photos shared on instagram show 100s of horses and 100os of people around the town. For the third year running, ballinasloe fair and festival are hosting numerous kids and adults bakery, art and craft competitions. Of ireland flashbak dublin city, dublin ireland, camera photography, historical. While now predominantly associated with the horse, in its heyday the october fair was an agricultural event of much greater significance, serving as a market for the sale of cattle and sheep by the farmers of the west to their counterparts in the east of ireland. Find the perfect ballinasloe horse fair ireland stock photo. The ballinasloe horse fair is a horse fair which is held annually at ballinasloe, the second largest town in county galway, in the western part of ireland. The excitement of the ballinasloe fair gripped noel mullins every year when he.
History of ballinasloe october fair ballinasloe official. The ballinasloe horse fair is one of the oldest fairs in ireland. Commenting on what will be a very busy week, committee member ciara croffy said. Oct 08, 2017 ballinasloe horse fair is one of europes oldest and largest horse fairs, dating back to the 18th century. Horses are bought and sold, of course, lots and lots of them. Ballinasloe racehorse profile, stats, form guide, news. Galway riding holidays in ireland equitrekking travel. Two year old gelding, calculated to make a sport horse. Ballinasloe horse fair is one of europes oldest and largest horse fairs, dating back to the 18th century. Jan 25, 2017 the horse fair is held every year in ballinasloe, the second largest town in county galway, and is regarded as one of the most important social and economic events of the towns calendar. Last year a couple of online papers slated the photographs and some even accused me of supporting animal cruelty. Nov 23, 2017 traveller family at ballinasloe horse fair 6th october 1952.
The ballinasloe october fair is known for its horsedealing, crowded. The ballinasloe horse fair is one of europes oldest and largest horse fairs, dating back to the 18th century. Yearling filly calculated to make a sport horse class 3. Great fair horse dealing at ballinasloe holdstock mark. The project centers on traditional horse fairs and in particular the monthly smithfield horse market. Ballinasloe horse fair, 1957 for many years, ballinasloe was a convenient central location for the sheep, cattle and horse market.
Ballinasloe has such a great history and tradition and we are anticipating. Ballinasloe is a gelding born in 2006 september 9 by commands out of oil rich. Ballinasloe ireland ballinasloe galway ballinasloe county. This annual event attracts up to 80,000 visitors from all over the world sour. The faces and chases at irelands oldest horse fair. Son, come along to the horse fair with me up in the morning, away we will go and well take the long road to ballinasloe we set out at daybreak in the cool october air we met the travelling people all going to the fair we then went though kilreekil, it wasnt far to go, to.
Rich in history and tradition, the fair had its beginnings in the 1700s. Very little is known about the origins of the ballinasloe. The ballinasloe agricultural horse show is the oldest show in ireland, if not in europe, it has run continually since the early eighteen hundreds and is older than the rds in. The current race record for ballinasloe is 0 wins from 3 starts. It is one of europes oldest and largest horse fairs, dating back to the 18th century.
Thousands attend ballinasloe horse fair the irish times. There are also fun fairs, street performers and numerous other events. The ballinasloe horse fairs history dates back to the 1700s. All the latest horse racing form, betting odds, news, breeding, jockey and trainer information for ballinasloe.
The horse fair is held every year in ballinasloe, the second largest town in county galway, and is regarded as one of the most important social and economic events of the towns calendar. Best young sport horse, bred and exhibited by owner, showgrounds class 4. The book looks at the history of horse fairs, trading and horse. Its history starts in the 18th century, and the fair has preserved most of its authentic traditions. Oct 03, 2017 ballinasloe horse fair 2017 short videoit was a magnificent daycouldnt believe all the beautiful horses. This annual event attracts up to 100,000 visitors from all over the world, with many returning to the town year after year. Welcome to the official facebook page of the oldest and biggest horse fair in europe. This stone wall jumping competition was mentioned in a number of reports from the period. As ballinasloe town hall celebrates its 170th anniversary this year, declan kelly reflects on some aspects of the history of this building which has been at various times an agricultural hall, a theatre, a schoolhouse and a cinema and which remains at the heart of the local cultural life. The true date of the first fair is not known, but the earliest reference gives a date of may 17th 1757, though the fair was probably taking place long before this. In the united kingdom there are many fairs which are traditionally attended by romani people and travellers who converge at the fairs to buy and sell horses, meet with friends and relations and to celebrate their music, history and folklore. Ballinasloe fair is one of the oldest events in ireland and has been held each october for longer than anyone knows.
In october 2017, alan woods joined the festivities to present an itma lecture on the history of ballad sheets and street singers. By the time the fair comes to a close late next sunday evening, an estimated 80,000 will have passed through ballinasloe. It is a meeting point for members of the irish traveller community. Barriers and parking restrictions are in place and the fair is on the ground already.
The ballinasloe october fair is one of the oldest fairs in ireland, at one stage renowned as the largest and greatest in all of europe. It has been going on since the year of dot it seems. Its one of dublins oldest traditions dating back to the 17th century. History of ballinasloe october fair ballinasloe official town. The 10 best ballinasloe hotel deals may 2020 tripadvisor. The photographic draw of both characters and animals is magnetic. This annual event attracts up to 80,000 visitors from all over the world, with many returning to the town. The horse fair and show starts on saturday 3rd october for 8 days. Parish of eyrecourt, meelick and clonfert catholic church.
The great fair ballinasloe mark hodstock horse books. This annual event attracts up to 80,000 visitors from all over the world. For instance, even today everyone can come to the fair and bring the horse to sell. When the grand canal was built and reached ballinasloe, and with the arrival of trains in ireland, livestock could be transported out of connacht easily and at any time of the year. Ballinasloe october fair a score of irish murders more from skeffy. The income of the seller doesnt matter at all, because its the event for everyone.
It is only since the early twentieth century that the fair has become exclusively associated with the horse. Ballinasloe horse fair goes on for a week in early october each year. Indians and the wall of death allan ford and nick corble. Every october, ballinasloe is host to the ancient october fair, one of the oldest horse fairs in europe, bathed in history it dates back to the 1700s. Pipe smoking dogs, and other memories from past ballinasloe horse fairs the times we lived in. Go west for a horse ballinasloe horse fair is held annually in ballinasloe, the second largest town in county galway, in the western part of ireland. Son, come along to the horse fair with me up in the morning, away we will go and well take the long road to ballinasloe we set out at daybreak in the cool october air we met the travelling people all going to the fair we then went though kilreekil, it wasnt far to go, to reach the town of aughrim that made history long ago. Ballinasloe official town website all the latest news. Traveller family at ballinasloe horse fair 6th october 1952. Today the ever popular fair is still held, along with a festival that attracts up to 100,000 visitors from all over the world. Ballinasloe horse fair expected to draw large numbers of. Ballinasloe october fair galway travel inspires experiences.
May 30, 2018 ballinasloe october horse fair young bellew, unfortunately, accompanied his father to this celebrated meeting, well known as the october fair. Ballinasloe irish horse fair images sydney photographer. The ballinasloe october fair is known for its horsedealing, crowded streets, and roaming minstrels. Oct 28, 2016 md sandyhill candyfloss a 3yo filly by sligo candyman winning the loose jumping at ballinasloe fair 2nd oct 2016. Ballinasloe is steeped in history, and has been lauded for the architectural character of its fine streetscapes. In spite of the cold weather, horse trading is in full swing at the ballinasloe horse fair in county galway.
The ballinasloe horse fair is a horse fair which is held annually at ballinasloe, the second. Yearling colt or gelding calculated to make a sport horse class 2. The fair draws massive crowds for a week of competition alongside dealing in horses and other livestock. Check out these and more historical images of ballinasloe in. Nov 10, 2019 the ballinasloe horse fairs history dates back to the 1700s. Recently renewed, it immediately has become one of the most visited tourist attractions in ireland. Rumble entertainment life europes oldest and largest horse fairs, dating back to the 18th century. Ballinasloe horse fair is a horse fair which is held annually at ballinasloe, the second largest town in county galway, in the western part of ireland. Ballinasloe galway how to get to ballinasloe best paces. In recent years there had been talk of police shutting it down after trouble at the event but it was in full swing this last week. Check out these and more historical images of ballinasloe in the new photo gallery. Combine horse riding in thebeautiful irish countryside with a trip to this horse fair. The haggling remains unchanged from when the fair first began in the early 1700s. Sydney based photojournalist james horans picture essay on the ballinasloe horse fair.
Find out how he used materials from the itma collection to prepare. This is one aspect of irish life that has remained unchanged but will in time most likely fade into the history books. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. A horse fair is normally an annual fair where people buy and sell horses in the united kingdom there are many fairs which are traditionally attended by romani people and travellers who converge at the fairs to buy and sell horses, meet with friends and relations and to celebrate their music, history and folklore many horse fairs are centuries old such as appleby horse fair and the great. Ballinasloe beal atha na sluaigheadh the town of the ford of the hostings, is an ancient town which increased in importance when turlough oconnor, king of connacht, fortified dun leodha dunlo at the beginning of the 12th century. The ballinasloe agricultural horse show is the oldest show in ireland, if not in europe, it has run continually since the early eighteen hundreds and is older than the rds in dublin. An annual event since the 1700s, ballinasloe horse fair is one of europes oldest horse fairs. Europes oldest and largest horse fairs, dating back to the 18th century. This annual event attracts up to 100,000 visitors from all over the world, with many returning to the town year. We attend this event to capture various events requested by our followers. The horse fair is about much more than just horses with everything from fortune tellers to fairground rides from tofts amusements, who have been bringing their show to ballinasloe for over 100 years. See more ideas about ireland, horses and ireland pictures. Both sides bought their horses there for the napoleonic wars. Ballinasloes newest initiative designed for customers to shop local 247 and support businesses shopballinasloe.