School Name - Our Locality

Our Locality

Our Locality

The Great October Fair

Ballinasloe is home to the greatest horse fair in Europe. The origins of the Fair can be traced back to the fifth century when local tribes bartered for horses. In 1722 Frederick Trench, the local landlord, obtained a charter to hold an annual Livestock Fair. This was the first time the Fair was officially held. The peak years of the October Fair were during the nineteenth century when an estimated 30,000 people attended the weeklong event where an average 20,000 cattle, 100,000 sheep and 4,000 horses were sold. For weeks before the Fair, fields within a 4-6 mile radius were rented for the stock that

was driven from the West, Midlands and as far away as Kerry by drovers hired specially for the occasion.

The Fair went into decline after the widespread growth of livestock marts and the drop in the horse population due to the advent of the tractor.

Today the Fair is thriving once again due to the work of the Fair and Festival Committee. Fair Week is an action packed time in the town. Events such as the Dog Show, the Gig Rig (musical entertainment), the Fashion Show, Toft's, the tug'o war competitions, the singing pub competitions and various horse competitions ensure entertainment for everybody. However the buying and selling of horses is and always will be the main attraction of the Great October Fair.

Battle of Aughrim

Aughrim is a historical site, situated five miles south of Ballinasloe on the main road to Galway.

Aughrim was the scene of a huge battle between the Williamite and the Jacobite armies. General Ginkel led the Williamites and St. Ruth, a French officer, led the Jacobites. The battle began at midday on Sunday, the twelfth of July, 1691. It was one of the worst battles in Irish history. It is estimated that the Williamites had 22,000 soldiers and the Jacobites had 25,000. The Jacobites were winning and St. Ruth went ahead to lead his side to victory but was shot instantly, and there was nobody to take over. It is estimated that 5,000 Jacobite soldiers were killed as well as 2,700 Williamites.The Williamites then went on to beat the Jacobites in Aughrim.

Garbally Denense

The founders of Garbally, the Trench Family came to Ireland at the and of the 16th century. As well as buying land in Cavan and the Midlands Frederick Trench bought Garbally Estate and in less than 100 years they owned the whole of Ballinasloe. During their time in power they were responsible for much of the development that took place in our town. They were also environmentally conscious and made planting trees one of their top priorities. At that time they were important people with upper class jobs and in 1803 Richard Trench was granted the title of Earl of Cloncarty. 16 years later Garbally mansion was built. It is still renowned as one of the finest mansions in Ireland. Nearly a century later the family went bankrupt and sold their land to the Diocese of Clonfert who turned it into a Diocesan Seminary. Today it is a secondary boarding and day school for boys. People also enjoy walking in its extensive and scenic grounds.

creagh.ias@eircom.net
Date Last Modified: 18/04/00