Never again will such events be taken for granted
The Ballinasloe International October Fair and Festival has come a long way since its establishment in the county Galway town 300 years ago but one thing that hasn’t changed is the enthusiasm and the vigour with which horse traders and buyers flock to the town’s fair green every year.
And, of course, with this being the first fair since pre-pandemic times, the crowds gathered in and around the fair green, milling through the street stalls or enjoying the music by the main stage, did so with an increased fervour. Never again will such events be taken for granted.
That was certainly the sentiment of Cathaoirleach of Ballinasloe Municipal District Cllr Evelyn Parsons, at Sunday’s official opening of the fair as it celebrated its 300th year milestone.
“People have come here this year from near and far, from home and abroad,” she enthused. “How lovely it is to meet and greet old friends and make new ones, and how precious that is. And we know now that we will never take these opportunities for granted again.”
As the crowds gathered in the footsteps of the millions of people that have flocked to Ballinasloe in the last three centuries, we can see changes in the way the festival is celebrated – but not in the way the horses are sold.
Traders gathered on Sunday afternoon with their prized horses and ponies, striking deals and haggling prices as onlookers gathered around the perimeter fence, soaking in the excitement.
“We can see that little has changed in the manner in which horses are sold at our great fair,” said committee member, Niall Clarke.
“And, while the half-pennies and the farthings have been replaced by the euro, the fair green and the desire for quality Irish horses, cobbs and ponies, remains the same.
“The spectacle of the fair green heaving with horse and handler has no equal and we are very fortunate to host this unique event. Its legacy is known worldwide and we are extremely grateful to the many visitors that make the annual pilgrimage to Ballinalsoe for the opening weekend of the fair.”
Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council Michael ‘Moegie’ Maher was delighted with the turnout at the official opening on Sunday – even if the bulk of them were country music fans just itching to get their feet tapping for Portumna native, Mike Denver – though he was quick to quip he’d enjoy a dance with Cllr Parsons after the official opening was over.
“We believe this is probably one of the best fairs and best outings that we have in the county,” he said, emphasising the support that Galway County Council has for the fair, and the credit due to the festival committee who have pulled a stellar festival programme together this year.
Chairperson of the committee, Mal Coffrey, was quick to commend the sponsors of this year’s festival. Among them were main sponsors, Ballinasloe Credit Union and Galway fast food company, Supermac’s.
“Without our sponsors, we couldn’t have this fair. I want to thank all of our sponsors because they’re very important to keep this fair going with ever rising costs for running these type of events,” he said.
“And they are part of rural Ireland and they are part of the heart of rural Ireland and they are part of the towns of rural Ireland and they should be allowed to go on because they’re part of the people.
“I’m sure there’s somebody from every county, and not alone every county but we have them from France, Belgium and all over Great Britain as well to come to this fair, which is their fair as well as our fair as the tradition was kept going for 300 years and that’s what we’re celebrating today. And it is, undoubtedly the biggest fair in Europe, unchallenged by anybody else.”
The Fair and Festival will continue until October 9 and will feature a variety of equestrian, music and heritage events over the course of the week. For the full programme, log on to www.ballinasloeoctoberfair.com.
