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Ballinasloe, Co. Galway

Ballinasloe (Irish: Béal Átha na Slua) is a town in the eastern extremity of County Galway that developed as a crossing point on the River Suck, a tributary of the Shannon. The Irish placename — meaning the mouth of the ford of the crowds — reflects this purpose. The latter part of the name suggests the town has been a meeting place since ancient times. A new public marina has been developed on the river in recent years that allows traffic from the Shannon navigation to access the town.

Ruined Churches and Abbeys testify to the piety of its people and their steadfastness during Penal Times. Old Forts and castles tell of ancient enmities 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, and died in their thousands.

The Ballinasloe Fair is one of the oldest horse fairs in Europe, bathed in history it dates back to the 700s. Today the ever popular fair is still held, along with a festival that attracts up to 100,000 visitors from all over the world. The town also boasts a successful summer festival called An tSúca Fiain.

Gardens

Birr Castle Demesne

Birr, Co. Offaly

It is possible to do a whistle stop tour of the world in this fascinating demesne surrounding majestic Birr Castle and embraced by the River Camcor. You can globe trot in minutes from Pakistan to New Zealand, and from Mexico to a glade that looks ...

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Golf

Glasson Hotel & Golf Club

Glasson, Co. Westmeath
Course Type: Parkland

This Christy O'Connor Jr. designed parkland course provides an ideal place to break up a journey across Ireland with some of the most scenic parkland golf around. Glasson hotel & Golf Club is about 10km (6m) north of Athlone in Ireland's ...

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Self Catering

The Stone Cottage

Portumna, Co. Galway

4 * Rating by Irish Tourist Board Situated in a rural location just five miles from the bustling town of Portumna, this delightful property has been rebuilt using the original stone from an old cottage and its outbuildings. The result is a fab ...

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What's On

Ballinasloe Farmers Market - County Galway - Fridays

Ballinasloe Farmers Market

Croffey Centre, Main Street, Ballinasloe, County Galway

Fridays 9am - 2pm

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Tourist Attractions

Portumna Castle & Gardens

Portumna, Co. Galway

Portumna castle was one of the first buildings in Ireland built in the Renaissance style already common in Italy and France for over a century, but which took a long time to filter through to Ireland. It was built between 1610 and 1618 by Ric ...

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Wedding Venues

Wineport Lodge

Glasson, Co. Westmeath

Ray Byrne and Jane English’s lovely lakeside lodge styles itself ‘Ireland’s first wine hotel’ and it is one of the most romantic destinations in all Ireland, both for its beautiful location and the luxury, service and good ...

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