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Ballinasloe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ballinasloe Béal Átha na Slua |
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| Location | ||
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| Irish Grid Reference M854307 |
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| Statistics | ||
| Province: | Connacht | |
| County: | County Galway | |
| Elevation: | 65 m (213 ft) | |
| Population (2006) - Town: - Rural: |
6,051 563 |
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| Website: www.ballinasloe.com | ||
Ballinasloe (Irish: Béal Átha na Slua) is a town in the eastern extremity of County Galway in Ireland.
The town developed as a crossing point on the River Suck, a tributary of the Shannon. The Irish placename — meaning the mouth of the ford of the crowds — reflects this purpose. The latter part of the name suggests the town has been a meeting place since ancient times. A new public marina has been developed on the river in recent years that allows traffic from the Shannon navigation to access the town.
Ballinasloe itself harbours successful and historically rich soccer, golf, cricket and rugby clubs, whilst also containing the Duggan Park Gaelic Athletic Association grounds. Gaelic games are perhaps the most deeply entrenched and most popular sporting culture in the town, most of all in its surrounding hinterland. The local GAA clubs are St. Grellan's Gaelic football Club, Ballinasloe Hurling Club and Ballinasloe Camogie Club.
The Ballinasloe Fair is one of the oldest horse fairs in Europe, bathed in history it dates back to the 700s. Today the ever popular fair is still held, along with a festival that attracts up to 100,000 visitors from all over the world. The town also boasts a successful summer festival called An tSúca Fiain.
The N6 road passes through the town, which is also served by the Dublin–Galway railway line. From 1828 to the 1960s, Ballinasloe was the terminus of the Grand Canal.
The biggest local employers are Portiuncula and St. Brigid's hospitals. From its establishment in 1936 to 2003, the Dubarry shoe manufacturing company was based in the town.
The patron saint of Ballinasloe is Saint Grellan, whom tradition believes built the first church in the area at Kilcloony. A local housing estate, the branch of Conradh na Gaeilge, and formerly a school are named after him.
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Every October, Ballinasloe is host to the ancient October Fair, one of the oldest horse fairs in Europe.
Chiefly agricultural in the past, it is now focused on the horse.
In Ballinasloe their are two Secondary Schools. St. Josephs College (Garbally) and Ard Scoil Mhuire.
- ballinasloe.com: Ballinasloe Town website with up-to-date local news and information on the town for visitors and residents alike.
- ballinasloe.org: An independent site with articles on Ballinasloe's history as well as a tips on genealogical research. Also has a bulletin board.