Ballinasloe, Market town in County Galway, Ireland
Ballinasloe sits on the River Suck at the eastern edge of County Galway, featuring limestone buildings and traditional Irish architecture throughout its center. The town serves as a crossing point between Dublin and the west, with streets that follow the natural curve of the river.
The settlement formed in the 12th century around a castle built by Turlough O'Connor, King of Connacht, to control the river crossing. Over the centuries, it evolved from a fortified outpost into a regional trading center.
The October Horse Fair brings thousands of visitors each year to trade horses and shapes one of Europe's oldest trading traditions. The event is so embedded in local life today that it defines the town's character for several weeks each year.
The town is accessible by car via the M6 motorway, with regular train services and bus routes connecting it to major cities nearby. Visitors can find parking easily and walk through the compact town center without difficulty.
Stone quarries around the town supplied limestone for commercial buildings in New York City, revealing unexpected international connections. This export trade was significant enough to shape the local economy and tie the community to transatlantic commerce.
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