What's on in Galway

Ballinasloe October Fair & Festival
3rd - 11th October 2009
http://www.ballinasloeoctoberfair.com/

The 168th Ballinasloe International October Fair & Festival is a 9-day event to cater for equestrian lovers, family entertainment, music and fun.

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. 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. It is only since the early twentieth century that the fair has become exclusively associated with the horse.

This year's festival committee have begun programming a wonderful nine day festival, guaranteed to have something for everyone. From the equestrian events which will take place on Sunday 5th October, Monday 6th October and Saturday 11th October. There will be music on the streets both weekends, street entertainers and the traditional La Gaelach on Saturday 11th October.