Ballinasloe International October Fair & Festival 2026
The longest running Horse Fair in Europe 🐎
An extravaganza of all things equestrian, with entertainment, music and great family fun. 2026 sees the fair celebrating the significant 303rd anniversary milestone of the Ballinasloe International October Fair & Festival which is held annually in the town of Ballinasloe, County Galway. The equestrian days are expected on Sunday and Monday (4 & 5 October 2026) and Saturday (10 October 2026). The festival dates are expected from 9th to 11th October 2026 where the Fairgreen is the place to be, with every breed of horse and pony on display from the beautiful Connemara Pony to trotting ponies and wonderful Irish draughts.
With an assortment of fun events, street stalls, fireworks, tug-o-war, street & vintage parade, arts & crafts, music and children’s events, there’s a sense of community about the show, but with around 85,000 visitors a year the word has spread.
An annual festival of all things equine 🐴
Ballinasloe is rooted in equestrian traditions, and horseback riding, pony rides, show jumping, and other events happen all year round. The Irish Traveling Community, who frequently assemble there, has a long-standing heritage of involvement with the Ballinasloe Fair. In terms of prominence to this community, Ballinasloe is on par with the Appleby Horse Fair in Appleby-in-Westmorland, England.
The 8-day carnival kicks up on the first Sunday in October with a march around the neighborhood. In addition to the named horse fair, the celebrations during the following week will feature a beauty pageant when the fair’s queen will be crowned, tug-of-war matches, dog shows, artistic and cultural events, singing contests, and fairground rides.
The Horse Fair, which takes place on a six-acre fair green on Society Street, features sale-and-purchase, racing, and show-jumping. The second weekend serves as the culmination, with “Country Fair Day” falling on Saturday. The majority of the local rural population often attended the fair on this day.
Kids Day at Ballinasloe Fair 2026
Visit Ballinasloe Fair & Festival on Sunday, 11th October 2026 for Kids Day! Enjoy arts & crafts competitions like Best Fairy Garden and Lego Display, a junior bakery contest, magic shows, balloon modelling, and a dog show. Don’t miss the Junior Tractor Derby at 4 PM! Free entry and prizes for all, making it a fun-filled family event!
What to expect at Ballinasloe Horse Fair
History of the Horse Fair
Historically, clansmen from nearby tribes would gather in Ballinasloe. In fact, Ballinasloe’s name comes from the Irish phrase “Béal tha na Sluaghe,” which translates to “Ford-mouth of the Hostings.” Although there is little information regarding the fair’s beginnings, the town’s historical function as a meeting site supports the locals’ long-held belief that it is an old event.
©️ The Capuchin Archives
The London Times stated in the late 18th century that the fair had sold “65,758 sheep and 6,565 bullocks.” Ballinasloe Horse Fair was described as “the grandest in the British empire” and “the largest of its kind in Europe” by the paper in the early 19th century.
Ballinasloe Fair & Festival FAQs
What are the dates of the Ballinasloe Horse Fair this year?
For 2025, the Ballinasloe Horse Fair runs from 5th October until 12th October 2025 with Sunday 5th October and Monday 6th October and Saturday 11 October 2025 devoted to equestrian events and the fair days taking place from 9th to 12th October 2025.
How long is Ballinasloe Horse Fair on for?
The horse fair and festival in Ballinasloe runs for 8 days in late September and early October annually.
What is the biggest horse fair in Ireland?
Ballinasloe Horse Fair is the largest fair for all things equestrian in Ireland with up to 80,000 visitors attending each year. It is also the oldest in Europe having run for over 300 years.
Contact the festival
Ballinasloe Fair & Festival Office
Society Street,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway
+353899812626
[email protected]
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