Wild weather made conditions testing but did little to curb the crowds that descended on Ballinasloe for the start of one of the oldest horse fairs in Europe.
More than 80,000 people are expected to attend the fair in the east Co Galway town between now and next Sunday when the festival – first held in the 18th century – comes to an end.
The festival has run into some difficulty in recent years after Galway County Council banned ‘sulky’ racing, which involves horses people on pulling lightweight carts. Health and safety issues allied to insurance liability concerns and the views of animal rights groups led to the ban.
Despite the loss of the racing spectacle, organisers estimate that the event is worth some €8 million to the local economy.
Strong winds and heavy rain throughout the day tested the resilience of many, but there was still a big turnout of Irish and international buyers.
Pakie Harkin, from Convoy in Co Donegal, and Anthony Cahill, from Carrick-on-Suir in Co Tipperary, have been attending the fair for 40 years and said dealing with the testing conditions was not a major issue.
Veteran
It was the same for Peter Moore from Kilsheelan, another veteran of four decades attending the fair, who said it would take more than a few showers and a bit of wind to keep him away.
“It’s an annual event for a lot of people and we love coming here. There’s always so much to see and do and I look forward to coming back every year,” he said.
Fair days are confined to the opening day, Monday and next Saturday, but festivities are planned for each day, ranging from a dog show to a baking competition and a food and craft market.
Retired national hunt jockey Paul Carberry performed the official opening of the fair on Sunday along with Queen of the Fair Kim Connaughton.
Trading was reported to be brisk with quality equestrian specimens on show including Shetland ponies and Clydesdales.
Some of the biggest Irish horse dealers will hope to pick up four or five dozen horses this week, with hundreds of horses and ponies expected to change hands. Deals in Ballinasloe are traditionally sealed via the spitting on and slapping of hands.
