Visiting Ballinasloe
Ballinasloe is at the heart of Ireland and being at the "Gateway to the West" it is an ideal base. You can Explore Ballinasloe here.
A 25-berth marina was completed by Duchas at Slí na hAbhainn, opposite the Civic Offices. On-going works to make the River Suck navigable, have resulted in the linking of Ballinasloe to the Shannon/Erne Waterway. The 1999 Shannon Boat Rally finished in Ballinasloe at the Lock Gate in Pollboy - a recently completed part of the Suck navigation project.
Ballinasloe also lives up to its equestrian heritage and offers a choice of horse and pony-riding facilities, stables and regular show jumping features which normally take place in the show grounds or on the Fair Green. Ballinasloe has also traditionally proved popular with anglers, particularly those interested in coarse angling. Ireland West, in its publication 'The Coarse Angler's Paradise - A guide to Counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon' states "The River Suck is deep and slow, renowned as one of Ireland's most productive coarse fishing rivers. Shoals of bream are plentiful and throughout the summer, bags in excess of 100 lbs. are common. The stretch south of the town near Coreen Ford has an excellent stock of tench and rudd Bream, Roach, eels, Pike and Perch are also found on the river. Lough Acalla, a rainbow trout fishery near Kilconnell, west of Ballinasloe, proves popular with local enthusiasts. Shooting holidays also attract many repeat tourists."
Places to go, things to see
Ballinasloe is an excellent base to enjoy many national and internationally renowned attractions including:
For further information on the above contact Galway East Tourism, Ballinasloe Tourist Office 090 9642604 (Summer Season)
- Angling - The River Suck which surrounds Ballinasloe is famous as a Coarse Fishing venue.
- Athlone Castle - The Castle is a focal point for tourism and visitors and it features exhibitions and audio visual presentations on the following themes: Athlone & Castle, Siege of Athlone, River Shannon - flora and fauna, John Count McCormack, Folk and Military Museums Art Exhibitions.
- An Dún Transport & Heritage Museum - This museum houses an excellent exhibition of vintage and classic cars and trucks, along with a marvellous display of restored farm machinery and rural utensils. Relax in the quaint, comfortable coffee shop. Facilities on site include a souvenir shop. Recently expanded to include a fascinating European model railway and cable car display Industrial and commercial machinery and buyers corner.
- Battle of Aughrim Interpretative Centre - as well as excellent detail on the Clontuskert Site.
- Ballinasloe Famine Park
- Ballinasloe Library and Church Gallery
- Ballinasloe Pitch & Putt
- Ballinasloe Suck Walkway
- Banagher Harbour
- Birr Castle and Gardens - Birr Castle is the private home of the Parsons family. The Demesne has become world famous for its exotic tree and plant collections, rivers and lake, formal gardens, terraces and wildflower meadows exuding an atmosphere of intimacy as well as grandeur. The Gardens extend across 120 acres of a 17 th Century Park whose sweeping open spaces are adorned by an outstanding collection of 2000 species of rare trees and shrubs including the tallest Box Hedges in the world. A prominent feature in the centre of the Park is The Great Telescope built in 1845; the largest in the world for over 70 years and can be seen operating throughout the day. The Galleries of Discovery take the visitor on a veritable Voyage of Discovery of the pioneering achievements of the Parsons family and great Irish scientists in the fields of astronomy, engineering , photography and botany. “One of the Seven Wonders of Ireland ” RTE One, 2003 The National Birds of Prey Centre set in the grounds of Birr Castle Demesne, where hawks, eagles, falcons and owls can be experienced at close quarters. Daily hawk talks and flights given by knowledgeable experts..
- Claypipe Visitors Centre - Located in Knockcroghery . For over 250 years the village was famous for the production of the tobacco clay pipe, or duidin.
- Clonfert Cathedral - St. Manchan's Shrine was treasured here for centuries before being removed to the parish church in Boher for safe keeping. There are ruined buildings on the site and the well still attracts pilgrims. St. Manchan's Shrine was treasured here for centuries before being removed to the parish church in Boher for safe keeping. There are ruined buildings on the site and the well still attracts pilgrims. How wild, impetuous designs were translated so intricately and skilfully into the stone arch of a Christian Cathedral is just as intriguing as the countless fates and legends surrounding the life of the founder, St. Brendan the Navigator. Clonfert is a site full of surprises.
- Clonmacnoise Monastic Settlement - In the sixth century, St. Ciaran chose this site at Clonmacnoise for his monastery. It became a famous place of learning in medieval times and the burial place of kings. Many manuscripts including the Annals of Tighernach (eleventh century) and the Book of the Dun Cow (twelfth century) were written here. The focal-point of the new interpretative centre is the ninth century Cross of the Scriptures. (Heritage Information).
- Clontuskert Abbey
- Dartfield - in Kilrickle just a few miles to the west of Ballinasloe, a spacious purpose built museum which shows the use of the horse through history in the areas of transport, farming, sport, and local traditions. Explore 350 acres of parkland on horseback or by horse drawn carriage. Indoor facilities include displays, exhibits, entertaining and educational videos, cafe and gift shop. The centre is a credit to Willie Leahy and his family for the professionalism in the presentation of this resource.
- Derryglad Folk Museum - Derryglad Folk Museum also incorporates an old style thatched bar and grocery and an old style garage. A recent acquisition for the museum was a large block of butter, believed to be over 5,000 years old, which was discovered during excavation on a Roscommon Bog in the Summer of 2000. So, why not pay a visit and view this collection of over 2,000 items, which portray the farm and folk life of Ireland from the 18th century to the not too-distant past. The museum itself is situated in a rural setting where you can enjoy a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
- Elphin Windmill - Built in the early 1700's to grind oats and wheat into meal, for the local population, the mill worked for approximately one hundred years and was then abandoned. In 1992, the derelict tower was acquired by Elphin Area Community Enterprise Ltd. and restored under a FAS Community Youth Training Scheme. Wind permitting, regular demonstrations are given. Unusual features are the thatched revolving roof and sails that are turned into the wind using cartwheels on a circular track and is now the only working windmill in the west of Ireland.
- Equestrian stables
- The Famine Museum at Strokestown Park House.
- Garbally Park - Now known as St. Joseph's College and is the seminary for the Diocese of Clonfert. This Mansion was built around 1824 by the Earl of Clancarty.
- Glendeer Pet Farm - 6 acre award winning Open Pet Farm Over 50 species of animals and birds. Restored 1950's cottage. Nature walk, picnic and play area. Coffee/Tuck shop. Souvenir shop. Self catering accommodation.
- Glinsk Castle
- The Grand Canal
- Kilconnell Abbey - Approx 6 miles outside Ballinasloe is the ruins of the Franciscan Friary of Kilconnell founded in 1353.
- Kinnitty - The monastery at Kinnitty was on the site of the Church of Ireland parish church. The high cross was removed to the terrace of Kinnitty Castle in the early nineteenth Century.
- Larry's Old Time Village - This beautiful crafted model village depicts Ireland from the early 1900's up to 1950. Scenes include the eviction of a family from their cottage, a windmill, a landlord's house. Each model cottage is roofed with authentic thatch and finished to intriguing detail. Step inside the life-size cottage and sit by the open turf fire. It is a rare insight into Ireland's past. Larry's can be found nearby at 'Windmill Lodge', Belmont, in Co. Offaly.
- Leap Castle - Ireland’s most haunted castle is open to visitors on request. Small groups catered for Banquets on request. Can be found nearby at Clareen, Birr, in Co. Offaly.
- Lough Boora Discovery Park is located in County Offaly and is open year-round. With access for all ages and abilities, this amenity can be explored for its outdoor activities, nature and biodiversity, sculptures and historical Mesolithic Site. Discover all that Lough Boora has to offer.
- Pallas Karting - Europe's largest Karting centre with a 500m beginners track, a 1500m advanced track and a 2200m rally track.
- Portumna Castle - The great semi-fortified house at Portumna was built before 1618 by Richard Burke or de Burgo, 4 th Earl of Clanricarde. This important Jacobean house, which influenced by Renaissance and English houses, remains distinctively Irish, it was the main seat of the de Burgo family for over 200 years, until it was gutted by fire in 1826. The ground floor of the house is now open to the public. To the north of the house is a formal, geometrically laid out garden, a feature often associated with large Jacobean mansions (Conservation works are ongoing) Limited access for visitors with disabilities to gardens and Gate House.
- Portumna Forest Park.
- The River Shannon and its tributary the Suck.
- Roscommon Castle - Now in ruins this dramatic and imposing 13th Century Norman Castle later to pass into the hands of Hugh O' Connor, King of Connaught is quadrangular in plan with rounded bastions at the corners and a double-towered entrance gate. The whole castle was surrounded by outer walls defended at the angles with low circular towers. Roscommon Castle, built about the reign of Edward I and similar in plan to the castles of Conway, Beaumaris and Harlech is built on rising ground at the north of the town. Although the castle changed hands several times during the wars of English and Irish, finally falling into the hands of Cromwellians who demolished its works in 1652, it was never a decisive stronghold and its history is poorly recorded.
- Roscommon Museum - the museum has a unique collection of artefacts relating to the history of the county, the town and its people.
- Temple Spa - enjoy a short break in a 250 year old country house and treat yourself to a range of modern spa therapies which include natural moor (based on heated peat) and endermologie (an anti-cellulite treatment).
- Terryglass - The ruins of a Norman Castle built in the ninth century are signposted. The monastery here was famous in the eighth century for its involvement in the asceticism of the Culdee movement.
- Up River - Kayaking & Canoeing School Ph: 090 9644196.
- Woodford Genealogical & Heritage Research Centre - 0509 49309.
For further information on the above contact Galway East Tourism, Ballinasloe Tourist Office 090 9642604 (Summer Season)