Ballinasloe
An Ideal Destination

For those seeking a blend of history, culture and natural beauty, venture into the heart of East Galway and discover Ballinasloe and its surrounding area, rich in history, tradition, and community spirit.

Experience all Ballinasloe has to Offer.

Ballinasloe offers a rich tapestry of experiences, a unique blend of culture, nature and entertainment from scenic trails and historic sites to lively festivals and local flavours—Ballinasloe has it all. Experience at your own pace, meet the locals, and uncover what makes this town so special. There’s more here than you ever expected.

Heritage & Community.

Explore every street and stone that tells a story of its vibrant past, where the echoes of history continue to shape the town’s identity through its historic architecture.  The community here is bound by a deep pride in its legacy, with generations working together to preserve and celebrate its rich history.

Amazing Events.

Ballinasloe showcases some of Ireland’s most vibrant and unique events, celebrating everything from local traditions to global cultures and the town comes alive throughout the year with festivals, fairs, and community gatherings that draw people together.

Ballinasloe Christmas Lights Festival

Sat, Nov 29, 2025

Ballinasloe Multicultural Mid Summer Festival

Sat, Jun 20, 2026

Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds

Thu, Sep 4, 2025

Journey with Ease

Take a smooth journey through Ballinasloe with our interactive map, guiding you to must-see landmarks, top attractions, local businesses, and hidden gems.

What Our Visitors Say:

From warm welcomes to exploring historic sites, attending lively festivals, visiting by boat,our visitors have had unforgettable experiences. See what they have to say!”From warm welcomes to exploring historic sites, attending lively festivals, visiting by boat,our visitors have had unforgettable experiences. See what they have to say!”

We had an unforgettable experience in Ballinasloe!

We cruised up the River Shannon, heading upstream to the River Suck, and docked for the night at the well-maintained marina right in the heart of the town, an excellent spot for fishing. Ballinasloe itself is full of charm, history, and welcoming locals. We spent our time wandering the streets, exploring a wonderful mix of family-run shops, including vintage stores, bookshops, boutiques, sportswear shops, and jewellery stores. The food at the local pubs and cafés was exceptional, so much so that we stayed for both lunch and dinner. In the evenings, we enjoyed traditional Irish music, complete with singing and dancing in the pubs. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or simply soaking up the authentic Irish vibe, Ballinasloe has something for everyone.

A 5 - Star Experience at Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds!

The town was absolutely buzzing with energy throughout the four days of the festival, with traditional Irish music filling the air and a fantastic lineup of events to enjoy. We l oved exploring the lively crafter ’ s market, joining in the vibrant session trails, and soaking up the atmosphere with talented buskers on every street corner. We even participated in music workshops and attended a fascinating lecture on the East Galway Sty le of music and danced for three hours at the Céili. The pub and beer garden sessions were the perfect places to unwind, while the concerts, lectures, and exhibitions offered something for everyone. The seamless blend of history, music, and community spi rit made this visit truly special. We can ’ t wait to return next year to experience even more of Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds and the charm of Ballinasloe!

Ahascragh Distillery

A visit to Ahascragh distillery, an all – new eco – distillery powered by renewable energy in a transformed nineteen century mill, was a standout memory for us where we discovered traditional distilling methods on the tour and afterwards got to taste the gin and whiskey in their tasting experience. The Aughrim Int erpretive Centre offered a fascinating insight into the region ’ s rich past, while Meelick Church provided a peaceful, reflective stop for us with its striking architecture and tranquil setting. We also took a scenic walk along one of the local bog trails, surrounded by the rich flora and fauna, and loved watching the waterfowl along the way. Each site offered something special, and we loved the rich heritage of Ballinasloe. We ’ re already planning our return to experience more of what this charming area has to offer!

Ballinasloe Horse Fair

Attending the Ballinasloe Horse Fair was like stepping into a living piece of history. The energy of the fair was incredible with hundreds of horses on display, lively haggling between buyers and sellers and thrill competitions like lunging and mare and foal. The atmosphere was enriched by music and street entertainment. I particularly loved the vintage display on the streets and the spectacular fireworks display. Whether you ’ re a horse enthusia st or just looking for a unique cultural experience this fair is an absolute must visit.

Very interesting visit Ahascragh Distillery

Great visit to the distillery where we learned a lot. There were only two of us and our guide was very friendly. The tasting (and the explanations that go with it) is tasty. An hour stop away from the crowds, by charming country roads very pleasant. The project behind the rehabilitation is interesting (willingness to produce zero carbon emissions.

Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds Annual Festival

Another great time of making music and meeting friends, old and new. Thank you Fiona and Evan for your great company and to the Ballinasloe community and pubs for their hospitality. Honestly, I couldn’t praise this festival enough. It is our opportunity to honour the great musicians who have gone before us and celebrate the wonderful store they created and handed down to us. We are now the custodians of this great legacy.

Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds Annual Festival

Thanks for a fantastic day out! The fiddle workshop was brilliant, the boys were thrilled to win the busking competition, and we rounded it all off with a great session in Brewery Lane.

Ballinasloe has made it into the top 10 of Ireland's most romantic towns.

HenParty.ie has ranked Irish towns using online search data over a 5 year period to find the most loved-up spots across the nation ahead of Valentines Day tomorrow. It also found that people in Ballinasloe are most interested in buying roses for their significant other, with the flowers coming up as the top-searched online gift among residents.

Ballinasloe Library

What a beautiful little find in this t own, calendar of daily events, we visited when the lego club was taking place on a friday morning. Our kids had a blast. Comfi little seating areas, coffee zone with newspapers for mummy’s and daddy’s and all attaches to an art gallery that was showcasing beautiful works. If you are visiting on a friday take a stroll across the road to the little country market!!!

St Brendan’s Clonfert Cathedera

Stunning Church originally constructed in the 11th Century and on a site which was once a Monastery founded in the 6th Century by Saint Brendan, the Navigator. Hiberno Romanesque Arch entrance is amazing and full of detail. Inside is a treasure trove of carvings including a Mermaid and Wyvern. A beautiful and stunning piece of Archit ecture in a tranquil location….. Not to be missed.

Great October Fair

I Go for a walk around this fair every year. The town is packed with events for the weeks around this fair and there is a fun fair for the kids. Definit ely Worth a visit.

An Insight into our Area.

Celebrating the people, places, and moments that make Ballinasloe special. Ballinasloe Life Magazine is your window into the town’s culture, history, and future happenings.

Ready to Experience Ballinasloe

Discover the heart of East Galway – from rich history and outdoor adventures to great food and lively events, there’s something here for everyone.

Ballinasloe
An Ideal Destination

Experience all Ballinasloe has to Offer.

Heritage & Community.