Welcome to Ballinasloe

Ballinasloe, a pretty town in County Galway, Ireland, is full of exciting history! It's not just a place where people live, work, and play, but it's also a place that tells stories from long ago.

Did you know that Ballinasloe's history goes back to ancient times? It was known to be an important crossing point on the River Suck, which was like a big road for people travelling by boat. So, it's been a busy place for a very long time!

The most interesting part of Ballinasloe's history is the famous horse fair. Every year, people from all over Ireland, and even other countries, come to Ballinasloe for this event. This isn't something new. The fair has been happening for over 200 years! That's older than your grandparents, and their grandparents, and their grandparents!

The fair was not just about horses though. It was a time of fun, with music, dancing, and games. Imagine all the laughter and joy that filled the town!

Next time you visit Ballinasloe, remember it's not just a town. It's a place full of stories and history, just waiting for you to explore.

  1. What was Ballinasloe known for in ancient times?
  2. What is the most interesting part of Ballinasloe's history according to the text?
  3. What activities were part of the horse fair apart from trading horses?
  4. Why do you think the horse fair has been happening for over 200 years?
  5. If you were to visit Ballinasloe, what are some things you would like to explore based on what you've read?

All About Ballinasloe

Ballinasloe is a charming town in County Galway, Ireland. It's known for its beautiful streets and rich nature. The town is filled with lovely streets like Dunlo Street and Society Street where you can see many interesting buildings.

The town is blessed with nature's beauty. There are many types of trees such as Ash, Oak, and Birch which are home to many birds like Robins and Sparrows. You might even spot a Red Fox or a Badger if you're lucky!

Ballinasloe has interesting street furniture too. These include colourful benches, unique lamp posts, and even pretty flower pots that decorate the streets, making the town look cheerful and inviting.

One of the most special features of Ballinasloe is the River Suck. This river flows gently by the town, creating a lovely sight. There are no mountains in the immediate area, but there are lots of open, green fields where you can run and play.

Ballinasloe also hosts a famous horse fair every year, which is one of the oldest in Europe! Isn't that exciting? So, that's a little about Ballinasloe - a town full of nature, beauty, and fun!.

  1. What types of trees can you find in Ballinasloe?
  2. Name one type of bird and one type of mammal that you might find in Ballinasloe.
  3. Describe the street furniture you might find in Ballinasloe.
  4. Using a map, can you find the River Suck? What direction does it flow in relation to Ballinasloe?
  5. Explore the area around Ballinasloe yourself - can you find any other geographical features of interest?

My Family and Ballinasloe

Hi there! I'm Riley, and I just turned 8. I live in a pretty cool town called Ballinasloe in Co. Galway. I bet you've never heard of it, but it's actually really fun. We've got a big fair every year called the Ballinasloe Horse Fair. It's super exciting, with horses, games and lots of candy floss. I love seeing all the different horses!

Another thing about Ballinasloe is that we have a river running right through our town. It's called the River Suck. It's a funny name, isn't it? But it's really beautiful. Sometimes, my friends and I would throw stones into it and watch the ripples spread out.

We also have this big, old building called the Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre. Sometimes, they show movies there and sometimes there are plays and concerts. I got to be in a play there once. It was really fun!

There's so much more to tell you about Ballinasloe but I'll stop here for now. I love growing up here, and I can't wait to share more stories about my hometown with you. Bye for now!

  1. What is the name of the annual fair held in Ballinasloe?
  2. What can you do at the Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre?
  3. What is the name of the river running through Ballinasloe?
  4. Why does Riley like the River Suck?
  5. What are some things that Riley enjoys about living in Ballinasloe?

The Logainm of Ballinasloe

Ballinasloe is a lovely town in County Galway, Ireland. The name Ballinasloe comes from the Irish 'Béal Átha na Slua', which means 'mouth of the ford of the crowds'. In olden times, a 'ford' was a shallow place in a river where people could cross easily. The 'crowds' part might mean that lots of people used this crossing.

Now, why would many people want to cross the river here? Well, Ballinasloe was famous for its 'October Fair', one of the oldest horse fairs in Europe. People from all over would come to buy and sell horses. They had to cross the river at this point, hence the name!

Today, even though we no longer need to cross rivers on foot, the name Ballinasloe stays the same. The October Fair still happens every year, reminding us of the old times when people crossed the river here. So, the beautiful name Ballinasloe has a story to tell, linking us to the past and present.

  1. What does the name Ballinasloe mean in English?
  2. What is a 'ford' and why was it important in the past?
  3. Why do you think Ballinasloe was called 'mouth of the ford of the crowds'?
  4. What is the October Fair and how does it relate to the name Ballinasloe?
  5. How does the name Ballinasloe link the past to the present?

Slideshow - Ballinasloe
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Ballinasloe