Ballinasloe (Béal Atha an Sluagh, "Ford-Mouth of the Hosts") lies in the center of Ireland, southwest of Lough Ree on the N6.
In earlier times a place of military importance, it is now a busy market town, famous for its horse, cattle and sheep fairs. The great October Fair is the largest in Ireland. Before the days of motor traction, when cavalry played an important part in warfare, this fair could claim to be Europe's largest horse market.
Ballinasloe is the terminal harbor at the western end of the Grand Canal, though the last section of the canal is no longer navigable.
The Aughrim Interpretative Center commemorates a battle in 1691, which in Irish history is called "Aughrim's great disaster. "
The center invites visitors to relive the Battle of Aughrim, on July 12, 1691 through audiovisual presentations. The confrontation involved 45,000 soldiers from eight European countries and cost 9,000 lives.
Hours:
June 1 to August 31: 10am-6pm; Sun:2pm-6pm; Closed: Mon
5mi/8km south of Ballinasloe on the R355 are the ruins of an Augustinian house, Clontuskert Abbey (National Monument). The west doorway of the church (1471) is notable for its carvings - Michael weighing souls, saints, a pelican, a mermaid with mirror, etc.
On the southwest side of Ballinasloe, in a park, is the Late Georgian mansion of Garbally, a handsome building in the local limestone; it is now a school.
This annual festival first became an official October event in 1722. At first the fair provided a venue to buy and sell live-stock. The modern festival is more wide-reaching, and includes show-jumping competitions, horse fairs, stalls, games, musical concerts and dances.
7mi/11km west of Ballinasloe, on the R348, stands Kilconnell Abbey (National Monument), a Franciscan friary founded in 1353. The church, with its slender and graceful tower over the crossing, is a fine example of Gothic architecture, with a beautifully carved west doorway. It contains two notable canopy tombs in the north wall. The one to the left of the entrance doorway has figures of saints (probably showing French influence); the other is in the choir. Around the church are conventual buildings with numerous masons' marks.
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Aughrim, Ireland
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