Ballinasloe Official Town Website - All the latest news from Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
  • Home
  • About
    • How to get to Ballinasloe
    • Contact
    • History of the Fair
    • Walks and Trails
  • A to Z
  • Shops
  • Sports
    • Sports Hub
  • News

BALLINASLOE

News

Ballinasloe - Something for Everyone - Photo Slideshow

30/5/2023

2 Comments

 
Picture
The Cullens enjoying a Cruise
Ballinasloe, the hidden gem of Ireland, recently hosted a remarkable Tourism Weekend “Something For Everyone “ that left participants in awe.

With over 200 enthusiastic attendees, the event showcased the town's vast potential as a future tourism destination.

From invigorating guided bog walks to captivating historic tours, the itinerary catered to diverse interests. A scenic boat cruise allowed visitors to soak in the breath-taking landscapes of the meandering Suck, while a delightful whiskey in Ahascragh tasting added a touch of indulgence.
​
Most keynotes of the towns and unique hinterland offering were proffered – the rich tradition of music and dance was on display in The Pillar House Rambling House, and again at the Lismany Boardwalk, the magnificent stetches of the Ui Maine Way along the Canal bank to the Monastic and Romanesque epicentre of Clonfert and of course the Battlefield experience of Aughrim were all folded into a smorgasbord mix. 
Picture
Musicians and revellers at the Rambling Hose Hosted in Gibbons Pillar House Bar
With the Greenway / Cycleway being eagerly anticipated and River Suck new bathing and activity features gone to feasibility the River anchored the off grid and the adventurous for many – with a specially chartered cruise from Shannonbridge to the Moycarn Lodge Marina and some introductory Kayaking Trips for novices offered by new local Adventure / Activity Company Lets Enjoy Outside. A Biodiversity walk in Beechlawn Organic Farm saw folks tromping about learning about the birds, bees and ecology on the Saturday and the Tennis Club also held their Open Day during the pilot weekend. A pilot Heritage Treasure Trail based on some of the town’s history was offered on Sunday to winddown operations.
​
Co Ordinator for the Project Lyn Donnelly explained how the fledgling tourism group emerged from the Leader supported Feasibility Study in Spring of last year and had gotten some wonderful support from Hidden Heartlands by way of mentoring and business support to work up some early deliverable projects. The Group then focused on a Familiarisation Showcase event to platform some of the main attractions the town and hinterland have on offer. 
As one of the first Tourism networks – community led but with significant private sector and hospitality sector engagement in the Hidden Heartlands , we have been on a steep learning curve to pull this together and to remind locals, operators  of the Hospitality trade and the wider tourism stakeholder community that these activities can be enjoyed year round  by individuals, families, groups and that for slow off grid tourism with amazing good value – our Town can be a good destination point for adventure , culture or just leisure”, explained Lyn. 
Picture
Patricia & Tyler Riddell, Alan Harney, Yvonne Fehilly, Brian & James Monahan, Cian Costa, Conor Costello, Lyn Donnelly and Edel Browne out on the River Suck kayaking with Lets Enjoy Outside.
​The plan going forward to is redevelop the Maps,  information bulletin boards,  on line visual presence with the new imagery and to use the valuable feedback gained and the marketing metrics to bundle packages with accommodation and tour providers in the coming months.
 
This well-rounded experience left participants yearning for more, while simultaneously solidifying Ballinasloe's reputation as a must-visit location. As the town continues to leverage its rich offerings, the future of Ballinasloe as a flourishing tourism destination looks brighter than ever.
Picture
Tour Guides and Walkers at Lismanny Boardwalk which was the halfway point of the walk between Ballinasloe and Clonfert
Project Chair Brian King commended and thanked the Weekend Project partners - Galway County Council Tourism Officer, Paddy Mathews and team at Hidden Heartlands for their co - operation and support partnership . “ I have to acknowledge and thank  Ballinasloe Credit Union and Galway County Councill for their welcome sponsorship of the weekend , all our trade partners, our activity groups and the wonderful members of the Project Working Group who have beavered away at this since last Autumn”. Stated Brian.  
Committee members are :
  1. Brian King, Vice Chairman BACD Clg
  2. Michelle McAllister, CEO & Founder Ahascragh Distillery & Visitor Centre
  3. Graeme Gullane, Gullanes Hotel
  4. Seamus Duffy, Chair BACD Clg
  5. Ruth O Brien, Manager Shearwater Hotel
  6. Brid Lyons, Clontuskert Development Group & Rosway Walking Group
  7. Graham Bartlett, IWAI River Suck Branch
  8. Pearse Keller, Owner Keller Travel & Board member of BACD
  9. Tommie Costello, Owner Cuckoo Hill Bootcamp
  10. Abbie McGowan, Member Aughrim 1691
  11. Claire Gibbons, Owner  Gibbons Pillar House Bar & B&B
  12. Lyn Donnelly, Manager BACD Clg
  13. Mike Riddel, Member Aughrim 1691
  14. Alan Harney, Member  Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre
  15. Frances Leahy, Member  Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre
  16. Martina Flanagan, Chair Feile Cheoil Larry Reynolds 
Picture
First Tour participants of Ahacragh Distillery with Alison Green & Cait Baxter
2 Comments
    BACK

    RSS Feed

    CLICK HERE to read the Latest Ballinasloe News Articles

    If you have you any news - 
    email us!
    ​

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

The Town Team was set up by BACD Ltd. to revive the fortunes of Ballinasloe and its hinterland. With the main focus to build on the town’s many strengths, change existing negative perceptions and bring about measurable improvements in the town centre economy and its wider social value.
Contact Us
Service Directory
Homepage
Links
How to get to Ballinasloe
Privacy Statement
Sitemap
Latest Ballinasloe Death Notices
Picture
Ballinasloe Area Community Development Ltd.
Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre 
Creagh
Ballinasloe
Co. Galway

Email
All generic photos and images have been sourced and are free of copyright or are clip art images free of copyright.  Photos of Ballinasloe have been donated by BEC.  If you have any photos that you would like included on the website please email us
Copyright   ©   All rights reserved, 2024 BACD 
Photo from cattan2011
  • Home
  • About
    • How to get to Ballinasloe
    • Contact
    • History of the Fair
    • Walks and Trails
  • A to Z
  • Shops
  • Sports
    • Sports Hub
  • News