Ballinasloe 5.55

Ballinasloe is a town in the easternmost part of County Galway in Ireland. It is one of the largest towns in County Galway with a population of approximately 7,200 people, which includes Ballinasloe Urban and Ballinasloe Rural. thumbName and historyThe 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. The patron saint of Ballinasloe is Saint Grellan, whom tradition believes built the first church in the area at Kilcloony. A local housing estate, a GAA club, the branch of Conradh na Gaeilge, and formerly a school are named after him.Richard Mór de Burgh is credited with founding the town.October Fair and FestivalEvery October, Ballinasloe is host to the ancient annual October Fair. Chiefly agricultural in the past, it is now focused on the horse. Ballinasloe Fair is one of the oldest horse fairs in Europe; bathed in history it dates back to the 18th century. Today the ever-popular fair is still held, along with a festival that attracts up to 100,000 visitors from all over the world creating great revenue for the townEconomyThe biggest local employers are Aptar - a manufacturing company - and Surmodics - a medical company as they announced that they plan to create 100 new jobs in the town in the next five years. Between 2000 and 2004, the town's economy took a hit with the closure of Square D, AT Cross and Dubarry. Supermacs opened their first store there and there are now four stores open in the town.