Ballinasloe

  • Ballinasloe is a town in east Galway
  • Ballinasloe ( Beal Atha na Sluaigheadh - the Town of the Ford of the Hostings), is an ancient town which increased in importance when Turlough O'Connor, King of Connacht, fortified Dun Leodha (Dunlo) at the beginning of the 12th century.In 1124 he built a stone castle there to command the river crossing.
  • The town has a population of 6,000, and is situated in the centre of a district that is steeped in history.
  • Ruined Churches and Abbeys testify to the piety of its people and their steadfastness during Penal Times.
  • Old Forts and castles tell of ancient times and of the long struggle between Norman and Irish.
  • The tragic battlefield of Aughrim reminds us of the time when Irish and Anglo-Irish united to fight for the cause of the Catholic Stuarts against William of Orange.
  • Each October, the town hosts one of the oldest horse fairs in Europe - the Ballinasloe Fair (see main pic)

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ballinasloe-horse-fair.jpg
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