Ballygar Carnival

Events

80th  Annual  Ballygar  Carnival

1st  -  6th  August  2024
Murray's  Amusements
All the Fun of the Fair!
Waltzer, Dodgems, Chairoplanes and more!
Amusements and attractions for the whole family.
murraysfunfair.com
Nightly from 7:30pm
Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 2pm
murrays-funfair
Thursday  1st  August
Grand Carnival Opening
Unveiling Of Carnival Plaque
All are welcome to join us as we unveil a plaque celebrating the 80th year of Ballygar Carnival
6:15pm • Outside Mattie Mc Donagh Centre
Carnival Football Blitz
U11 Boys Blitz hosted by St. Brendan's Football Club
6:45pm • New GAA Pitch (F42 KH59)
Live at the Centre
Seán Keane
Hailing from County Galway, Seán is an award-winning Irish singer and multi-platinum Irish bestseller. Traditional Irish, folk, and even country and blues songs all lend themselves to Seán's unique style and unforgettable voice
Doors 7:30pm • Stage 8pm • Mattie McDonagh Centre • Adm: €20
Live at the Centre
Big Ideas
A Carnival favourite in recent years: The Big Ideas return to kickstart Ballygar Carnival 2023! Great night guaranteed!
Doors 11:30pm • Stage 12am • Mattie McDonagh Centre
Late Bar • Over 18s • Adm: €10
Friday  2nd  August
Orienteering
Hosted by the Western Eagles, Galway Orienteering. Using the map as a guide, challenge yourslef by reaching all thecheckpoints in the quickest time. Registration from 10:30am. Enter the forst from the kilmore road (second entrance as you drive from Ballygar)
11am - 2pm • Aghrane Forest (Meeting at the Castle Grounds)
80 Years of Ballygar Carnival
A display of carnival brochures and memorabilia, including a new carnival documentary
Fri: 2pm - 4pm & Mon: 2pm - 4pm • Coláiste Mhuire • Adm: Free
Céilí At The Crossroads
Ceol agus craic at our traditional céilí with the fantastic Annaly Céilí Band!
7pm • Outside Fallon's Bar • Adm: Free
Live at the Centre
Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones
Derek Warfield, founder and leader of The Wolfe Tones for 38 years, will take to the stage with some of Ireland’s finest young musicians bringing new energy to some of the most popular Irish songs.
Doors 11:30pm • Stage 12:30am • Mattie McDonagh Centre
Late Bar • Over 18s • Adm: €15
Saturday  3rd  August
Photography Exhibition
Presented by Shane Coyle: A stunning collection of photography including wildlife from the surrounding counties
11am - 2pm • The Courthouse • Adm: Free
Michéal Brennan Memorial Tournament
Hosted by Ballygar Hurling Club.
Hurling tournaments for a variety of age groups
11am - 2pm • New GAA Pitch (F42 KH59)
Discovering Aghrane
Hosted by Padraic Hannon. Uncover some of the lesser-known features of Aghrane forest in this fascinating exploration. The walk will take place in two stages. An initial walk of 1.5 hours with an option to finish afterwards. There will be an additional hour of discovery for those interested in learning even more! Please be sure to bring appropriate clothing and footwear as parts of the walk are off the beaten track.
Part One: 11am - 12.30pm • Part Two: 12.30pm - 1.30pm
Aghrane Forest (Meeting at the Gazebo) • Adm: Free
Junior Tag Rugby
Hosted by Creggs Rugby Club. A fun game of Junior Tag Rugby (non-contact). All children 8-12 years old welcome! Reg. from 11:30am.
12pm - 2pm • Niall Walsh Pitch (F42 V211)
A Bus Tour Through The Ages
Join local historian Paul Connolly on a journey through historical places of interest in the local area. Visit a number of important historical sites, dating from prehistory up to modern times. Although the tour will primarily be by bus, there will also be some walking involved so please bring waterproof clothing and suitable footwear. This tour proved hugely popular last year so pre-registration is essential. Limited places available.
Click here to book seats
2pm - 4pm • Starting at the Courthouse • Adm: Free
Candlelit Tales
Professional storyteller Sorcha Hegarty, and Irish actor Aron Hegarty (Game of Thrones), use humour, passion and playfulness to make you laugh, make you cry, and maybe even make you roar! Live music is the heartbeat of all the performances, weaving its way through epic tales of mythology, creating a truly captivating experience for both young and old!
6pm - 7:30pm • Social Services Centre (F42 YA62) • Adm: Free
A Hooley Of Poetry, Song & Moving Image
Hosted by Margaret Hannigan Popp, this event features the work of several local creatives through the mediums of music, film, writing and more! Includes the launch of the book ‘After Image’ by local poet Mary Turley McGrath (Mount Talbot). Special guest Mark Sebata (Galway based musician and artist).
8:15pm - 9:45pm • The Courthouse • Adm: Free
Beat on the Street
The Wilful
The Wilful are on a mission to infuse classic hits with a fun twist! Experience iconic hits from the 80s, 90s and 00s along with modern pop songs like you’ve never heard them before!
From 9:30pm • Free Street Performance
Live at the Centre
Mike Denver
A man who needs no introduction, the one and only Mike Denver is sure to give us another night to remember at our 80th Carnival!
Doors 11:30pm • Stage 12:30am • Mattie McDonagh Centre
Late Bar • Over 18s • Adm: €20
Sunday  4th  August
Celebration Of Mass
Celebrating 80 years of Ballygar Carnival with special commemoration for former Carnival committee members.
10:30am • St Mary's Church
Carnival Fun Run
Run our 5km route in the lovely Aghrane Forest. Registration from 11.30am. Pay on the day, card payments accepted. Pre-reg available. See our Facebook page for more.
(10km route unavailable this year due to foresty operations)
12pm • Aghrane Forest (Meeting at Gazebo) • Entry: €5
Children's Fancy Dress
The Annual Ballygar Carnival Children's Fancy Dress with prizes for the best dressed in various categories. Music, dance and fun!
4pm • Mattie McDonagh Centre • Adm: Free
Mad Professor Fun Science Show
Hosted by Really Grand Events, this amazing kids’ show features experiments demonstrating basic science principles with a fun approach! Lots of music, games and spot prizes too!
6pm • Mattie McDonagh Centre • Adm: Free
Children's Treasure Trail
Our Treasure Trail returns! Find all the clues around the town to be in with a chance to win some great prizes!
7pm • Mattie McDonagh Centre • Adm: Free
Ballinasloe Town Band
In keeping with Carnival marching band tradition, the Ballinasloe Town Band will treat us to a wonderful performance!
7pm • Free Street Performance
Blasta Brass
in collaboration with
Peelo School Of Dance
Blasta Brass are a dynamic live brass group hailing from Mullingar playing an eclectic mix of pop, hip-hop, soul, rock and funk.
A performance by senior students from the Peelo School of Dance will add colour, energy and fun to our Sunday evening!
From 8pm • Outside St. Mary's Church
Beat on the Street
The Half Landing
Touring the world; 5 musical instruments, 4 suitcases, 3 best friends, 2 brothers, 1 goal: to make people smile!
9:30pm • Free Street Performance
Live at the Centre
Spring Break
supported by
Aimee Carty
Europe’s premier good-time supergroup is back and ready to raise the roof with the very best of 80s and 90s hits!
Local singer and songwriter Aimee Carty, who recently shot to fame with her hit song “2 days into college”, will take to the stage early in the night to showcase some of her fantastic songs
Doors 11:30pm • Stage 12am • Mattie McDonagh Centre
Late Bar • Over 18s • Adm: €10
Monday  5th  August
Fair Day & Indoor Market
Traditional Old Fair Day on Main Stree , with Craft Market in the Mattie McDonagh Centre. Ballygar Carnival merchandise available! Facepainting for kids!
Tea rooms open on the day
From 9am • Main Street and the Mattie McDonagh Centre
Birds Of Prey Display
Hosts Animal Magic will bring a selection of hawks, falcons and owls for an interactive display with lots of information on these impressive birds of prey
From 3pm • Ballygar N.S.
Ballygar Carnival Dog Show
One of the biggest dog shows around!! Suitable for professionals and those new to dog showing. Online pre-registration now available!
For more see Ballygar Carnival Dog Show on Facebook
Registration from 12pm • Judging from 1pm
Niall Walsh Pitch • Adm: Free
Busking Competition
A variety of singers, musicians & groups will battle it out for the Ballygar Carnival Busking Trophy. €500+ in prize money to be won!
Register here
From 1pm • Main Street
Ticket Stall
Yes, that's right, we're bringing back the Carnival Ticket Stall for a touch of nostalgia
3pm • Mattie McDonagh Centre
Beat on the Street
The Celtic Gypsys
This talented 5-piece band brings some of the oldest and best Irish songs to life with renewed energy!
3pm • Free Street Performance
Beat on the Street
Stevie B & Adrian Whyte
Join us for great music and craic on Main Street with two fantastic local musicians!
9pm • Free Street Performance
Live at the Centre
The Tumbling Paddies
We are delighted to welcome The Tumbling Paddies to close out our 80th Carnival with a bang! From humble beginnings, this band has steadily grown to become one of Ireland’s most sought after groups. Their mix of original material along with many classics brings you one of the best nights of entertainment!
Doors 11:30pm • Stage 12:15am • Mattie McDonagh Centre
Late Bar • Over 18s • Adm: €20
Tuesday  6th  August
Nature Walk
Join Michael Bell (Chairperson of Birdwatch Ireland: Sligo branch) and explore the variety of flora and fauna in Ballygar Woods. Michael is passionate about instilling an awareness and appreciation of local nature in people of all ages.
2pm • Aghrane Forest (Meeting at the Gazebo) • Adm: Free
Monster Bingo
€3,000 Jackpot
Up to €7,000 in prizes to be won!
Single €15 | Double €20 | Flyers €2
8:30pm • Mattie McDonagh Centre
Mattie  McDonagh  Centre
Tickets at the Door
Late Bar on Dance Nights
Over 18s Only - ID Required
No Pass Outs

Thank you to the local businesses and our sponsors for their continued support

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