An Garda Síochána together with the Ballinasloe Country Fair organising committee, and Galway County Council wish to remind the public that the Ballinasloe Country Fair will not go ahead this weekend. This decision to cancel the fair was taken a number of months ago in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and in the interest of public health.
The fair was due to take place on October 3 running until October 11, and organisers, An Garda Síochána and Galway County Council wish to remind anyone thinking of traveling to Ballinasloe this weekend that the event will not be taking place.
Inspector Declan Rock of the Ballinasloe Garda District said "The Ballinasloe Country Fair has always been an event the public and the local community celebrate every year and we understand it is disappointing that due to the current pandemic it will not go ahead this weekend. Unfortunately Covid-19 is still with us, and we all need to continue our hard work to keep our communities safe”.
"Although it had been signalled that the fair was cancelled people did travel to Ballinsaloe last weekend expecting it would be taking place as normal. Therefore we wish to re-emphasise that there will be no events taking place this weekend, which, under normal circumstances would mark the final weekend of the fair,” he continued.
Alan Farrell Director of Services for Economic, Rural and Community Development with Galway County Council said, "An Garda Síochána, the HSE and local authority are working hard to help our communities slow the spread of Covid-19, and we need your support. This means that we may miss out on activities and occasions that we would usually look forward to, like this year’s horse fair, but we must remember the devastating impact Covid-19 can have if it takes hold in a community. Therefore we remind the public that the decision has been taken to cancel this year’s fair and ask that the public not travel” .
Speaking on behalf of the Festival Committee its chairperson, Mal Croffey, acknowledged that cancelling this year’s event was a difficult but necessary decision to make in light of the current pandemic.
"Patrons are asked to follow the advice of the statutory authorities and not travel to the fair this weekend” he said.
An Garda Síochána will be conducting additional patrols locally over the coming weekend.
