An Garda Síochána have issued a reminder that Ballinasloe Horse Fair will not be going ahead this weekend in a joint statement with the Organising Committee.
The annual Horse Fair & Festival was due to take place tomorrow Saturday, and on Sunday, and the organisers are reminding people who were thinking of travelling to Ballinasloe this weekend that it will not be taking place.
It was decided back in June that the annual fair and festival, which is renowned the world over, would not take place this year for public health reasons.
While there was a subsequent drop in the number of COVID-19 cases appearing over the summer, the renewed numbers seen in recent days only highlight why it is important to continue to avoid large scale events such as this for the foreseeable future.
“The Ballinasloe Horse 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,” said Inspector Declan Rock of the Ballinasloe Garda District.
Alan Farrell Director of Services with Galway County Council, added that the Gardaí, HSE, and local authority are working to slow the spread of COVID-19, and need people’s support in that endeavour.
“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.
