Ireland
Great Videos and Photos of the Best Places and Things to see in Galway East Ireland. For the independent traveller who is interested in seeing places while planning their next trip. Or for anyone who likes to be close to nature and see the quieter parts of the country or city
Galway East
Between Lough Corrib and the River Shannon lies the region of East Galway, which has much to offer the visitor. Enjoy a boat trip on Lough Corrib, visit Ashford Castle, one of the most spectacular castles in Ireland. While there visit the picturesque village of Cong (Co. Mayo). Further east are the fields of Athenry and in October one of Europe's oldest horse fairs in Balinasloe.
Lough Corrib
The vast Lough Corrib separates Connemara from East Galway - around the lake there are numerous points of interest, though Ashford Castle is one of the most spectacular landmarks.
Lough Corrib
Lough Corrib
Lough Corrib dividing east Galway and Connemara is Ireland's second largest lake. The lake holds the distinction of having the first canal in Ireland built in the 12th century to connect the southern end of the late into the sea at present day Galway City. The Lough has two main divisions, a shallow basin to the south and a much larger and deeper basin in the north. The two basins are connected by a narrow channel.
Ashford Castle
Lough Corrib
While Ashford Castle built in medieval times (1230) is now a luxury hotel, it is possible, though a long standing right of way was the subject of legal dispute in 2011, to stroll around the grounds and savor the atmospheres of olden times. The present day castle and grounds dates back to 1852 and it's purchase by Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness. The estate was extended and developed by his son the Lord Ardilaun.
Cong
The picturesque village of Cong on the Galway - Mayo border is popular with visitors, many who remember the film Quiet Man starring John Wayne.
Balinasloe
Every October, Ballinasloe is host to one of Europe's oldest and largest Horse Fairs, dating back to the 1700's. This annual event attracts up to 100,000 visitors from all over the world, with many returning to the town year after year.
Fair Green
Balinasloe
Whether you have an interest in horses or not the Balinasloe Festival is fun for all.
The festival is one of the most important social and economic events in the life of the town.
The horse fair is held annually in the town, every October, it runs for a week, with events on most days.
The fair is said to be the oldest horse fair in Ireland if not the oldest in Europe. The fair is older than the fair in Spancil Hill or the Smithfield Horse fairs.
The first fair was reported to have been in the 1780s, though at that time it was an entire agricultural show, drawing people from all over the west with farm produce, including cattle, sheep and horses.
The fair became a predominantly horse fair at the start of the 20th century, probably because markets for cattle and sheep became more popular elsewhere.
Today the fair is an active horse trading event, where horses are bought and sold. The fair itself is held on the fair green while the town hosts festival events such as a bit of ceol agus craic.
The town is a major economic event for the town, bringing an estimated 6€ million euros to the area.
Crowds of over 50,000 attend on the peak days and over 3000 horses can be seen gathered on the Fair Green.
In recent times, the trading of horses has returned poor financial results and it seems to be a case of a buyers market.
Lunging
Balinasloe
Competitions including lunging run through the fair at the Fair Green or Show ground
Throughout the festival a number of prestigious horse competitions take place, particularly over the weekend, including the Horse of the Fair,
Cob Lunging Competition
All Ireland Pony Lunging Competition.
Among the horse loving community, these competitions are major events with contestants coming from all over Ireland. On competition days, you will see from early morning horse boxes arriving with the cobs and ponies pulled by cars with number plates from Kerry, Mayo, Donegal, Kildare and pretty much all over.
The events are keenly watched by the horse traders, who keep a watchful eye for a good one.
Balinasloe
Balinasloe
Visit Balinalsoe for some fun and craic - particularly at the October Fair
Apart from Galway City, Ballinasloe is the largest town in Galway, with a population of 6000+.
It is a prosperous, industrial town and the main commercial centre for East Galway.
The town is a central base for tourists, offering a wide range of leisure pursuits including coarse angling, boating, shooting, golf and horse riding and a marina.
The town derives its name from the ford of the River Suck near the old Norman castle at River Street, which became a meeting place for the hostings of the Connacht tribesmen, chiefs and warriors of Breifne and Meath.
The ford became known as 'Beal Atha na Sluaigheadh' meaning the 'mouth of the ford of Hostings'.
Ballinasloe is also famous for its limestone which was used in many public buildings in the town as well as several important buildings nationally and internationally.
On the Streets.
Balinasloe
The town takes on a carnival atmosphere through the festival period, with streets closed to traffic, horses and ponies on the streets and artists performing to the swelling crowds.
The fair became a predominantly horse fair at the start of the 20th century, probably because markets for cattle and sheep became more popular elsewhere.
Today the fair is an active horse trading event, where horses are bought and sold. The fair itself is held on the fair green while the town hosts festival events such as a bit of ceol agus craic.
The town is a major economic event for the town, bringing an estimated 6€ million euros to the area.