THOUSANDS OF people ensured that Europe's oldest horse fair continues to be a major success with fine weather making for a busy opening to the annual Ballinasloe Horse Fair at the weekend.
An estimated 80,000 people will attend the fair in east Co Galway by the time it comes to a close next weekend. It has been running for more than 300 years.
RTÉ broadcaster Paddy O'Gorman performed the official opening yesterday afternoon. He said the annual horse fair was part of Irish heritage and that it continued to remain strong despite the economic situation.
Mr O'Gorman said the variety of accents to be heard in the town confirmed how the fair appealed to people from many areas at home and abroad. The attendance included officials from other Irish fairs as well as festivals in the United Kingdom and France.
Sales, however, were said to be "slow" yesterday but the standard of horses on offer was high and business is expected to be brisk during the remainder of the festival.
Brendan Bradley, chairman of Ballinasloe Fair and Festival, paid tribute to the local business and farming community for funding the annual festival which is estimated to be worth around €9 million to the local economy.
"With no direct source of income from tickets or gate receipts, we are heavily dependent on sponsorship to meet costs and we are delighted with the support we have received," said Mr Bradley.
Ten people were arrested for public order offences, while gardaí are investigating the burning of eight portable toilets in the fair green in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Extra gardaí have been drafted into the town for the week with a warning issued to traders to watch out for the possible circulation of counterfeit money. "We would appeal to traders to be vigilant as there have been a number of incidents of forged banknotes being passed," a Garda spokesman said.
The Ballinasloe fair, which has non-horse events such as a fashion show and a vintage car rally, continues throughout the week and will conclude next Sunday.