Ballinasloe
Ballinasloe (Irish Béal Átha na Slua ) is a city in the far east of the county Galway in Ireland.
The town grew up around a ford over the River Suck, a tributary Shannon. The Irish place name which means access to the ford of the crowds, also indicates that the original sense of the place. Since ancient times, the place was a gathering place. In recent years, a new public port on the Suck was built that allows the Shannon - boat traffic access to the small town.
Sports
In Ballinasloe there are successful and traditionally rich football, golf, cricket and rugby clubs, but also the Duggan Park Gaelic Athletic Association ( GAA), the Irish Sports Association for Gaelic sports. Gaelic sports are probably the most popular, but mainly practiced in the surrounding areas. The local clubs for Gaelic sports are Gaelic Football Club 's St. Grellan, Ballinasloe Hurling Club and Ballinasloe Camogie Club.
Festivals and Events
The Ballinasloe Fair is one of the oldest horse fairs in Europe, dating back to the 8th century. Today the ever popular horse market is still held together with a fair each October and attracts up to 100,000 visitors from all over the world. Particularly well known is the market for the Irish Tinker horse breed. The city also hosts a successful summer festival called on tSúca Fiain.
Traffic
The N6 runs through the town, just as the railway line Dublin - Galway. From 1828 to the 1960s, Ballinasloe was the end point of the Grand Canal.
Business
The largest local employers are Portiuncula and St. Brigid's Hospital. From its founding in 1936 until 2003, the Dubarry Shoe Manufacturing Company had its headquarters in the city.
Church
The patron saint of Ballinasloe is the holy Grellan, who had consecrated the first church in the area of Kilcloony. A local settlement, the branch of Conradh na Gaeilge and a former school were also named after him.