page_title: Ballinasloe
section_title: October Fair
hierarchical_section_title: Ballinasloe / Events / October Fair
caption_attribution_description: Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland English: Bronze sculpture Horse and Handler in reference to the Ballinasloe Horse Fair by the sculptor James McCarthy, erected at St Michael's Square in May 2003.
context_page_description: Ballinasloe is a town in the easternmost part of County Galway in Connacht. It is one of the largest towns in County Galway with a population of 6,662 people as of the 2016 census.
context_section_description: The Ballinasloe Horse Fair is held annually in October. It is reputedly the oldest horse fair in Europe and dates back to the 18th century. Chiefly agricultural in the past, it is now focused on the horse, and the associated festival attracts up to 80,000 visitors. A large market typically takes place, along with a number of events, fireworks, a dog show and a fun fair beside Ballinasloe's town theatre. The 2020 event, which would have been the 298th fair, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
caption: Sculpture by James McCarthy which monumentalises the Ballinasloe Horse Fair
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