The annual horse fair, a festival of traditional Irish music and guided farm tours offer different reasons to discover Ballinasloe. The railway, marina, golf and walking trails also shape the options available locally. If a festival is a key reason for your trip, take its date into account when planning.
Getting there and access to the water
Ballinasloe railway station is about a 10- to 15-minute walk from the town centre. This time is an approximate guide. Ballinasloe is on the Dublin–Galway railway line; check connections and timetables before travelling so your arrival plans reflect the current schedule.
The marina is in the heart of the town. For travellers on the Shannon, the River Suck makes a suitable day trip. This offers two different ways to enjoy the water: the harbour in Ballinasloe and an excursion on the River Suck for those already travelling on the Shannon.
Fairs, music and events
The Wonder-Wander Trail leads through Ballinasloe to the Fair Green and ends at the Emerald Ballroom. The historic Fair Green in the heart of the town is where the annual horse fair takes place every October. The trail and Fair Green provide a specific setting for considering the horse fair as a reason to visit in its own right.
The Ballinasloe Fair & Festival dates back to 1722 and includes food and craft markets. The programme may vary from year to year; check it in advance if the markets are important to your choice of dates. Another highlight is Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds: this festival of traditional Irish music, heritage and culture celebrates the East Galway Style and the musical life of Larry Reynolds. It takes place annually in Ballinasloe on the first weekend of September. Check the exact dates for the year in question.
The Ballinasloe Show has a history of its own: it was founded in 1829. Its programme includes five All-Ireland championship finals in the pony, horse, cattle, sheep and dog classes. The competition classes may change from year to year.
Golf, farm tours and a walking route
Ballinasloe Golf Club has an 18-hole parkland course and was founded in 1894. Visitors are welcome; confirm access and booking arrangements before your trip. The club’s history and the type of course described give it both historical and sporting appeal when planning your trip.
Guided tours at Beechlawn Organic Farm explore how seasonal vegetables are grown, harvested and distributed. They also cover composting, crop rotation and the protection of biodiversity. The farm welcomes families, school groups and environmentally conscious travellers. The tours are therefore clearly different from a sporting activity: their focus is on farming processes and sustainable practices.
Those wishing to include a walking route in their plans can follow a 21 km section of the Hymany Way between Clonfert and Ballinasloe. Ballinasloe Presbyterian Church offers another architectural perspective: the Neo-Gothic building features pointed-arch openings, pinnacles and a crenellated tower. These features make the building’s architectural style tangible, without requiring a festival or sporting event to be the main focus.
Discover more destinations: Roundstone, Cloghbrack, Gort, Castlegar, Clarinbridge, Oranmore, Inishmaan, Monard
For the wider travel overview: Galway.
