Dunmanway's Ballabuidhe Festival 2023

Ballabuidhe Festival 2023

This August Bank Holiday Weekend in Dunmanway, the hometown of Sam Maguire at the heart of West Cork will be filled with fun and activity as the Ballabuidhe Festival takes place. One of the great fairs of Old Ireland it is a heady combination of 2 days of racing, a mile long market and busking, music and dancing on the streets of Dunmanway and in the lovely pubs of this traditional Irish Town. And don't forget the reason for Ballabuidhe, the horse fair where the horses are shown and deals are made with a handshake on the streets of the town.

Since 1615 the people of Dunmanway, West Cork, have been celebrating Ballabuidhe Horse Fair and Races and it’s no different this year. The races take place on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th August , followed by the famous Ballabuidhe Horse Fair on the Tuesday evening and again on Wednesday 9th August followed by a unique Horse Show which will be judged on the streets.

The origins of the Ballabuidhe Horse Fair and Races are lost in antiquity, with written records only going back to 1615. To the present day, Ballabuidhe Fair carries on the ancient tradition of great fairs like Tara and Tailte, incorporating horse racing, selling and buying of wares, and the display of fine horses for sale. Ballabuidhe Races comprise over thirty races of which about half are trotting and sulky. The rest are flat races for ponies and horses, specially bred for speed and agility. These are not only exciting for the spectator, but have proved a valuable training ground for aspiring jockeys. Dunmanway Events present the following which will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend…

Saturday

*Busking in pubs with cash prizes!

*Music in the Square!

Sunday

*Ladies Day with Prosecco reception and prizes for best dressed lady, man, boy, girl, hats, bag, vintage outfit!

*Comhaltas evening on the Green!

Monday

*Family fun day in race field!

*Gally’s gig on the green!

https://www.visitdunmanway.ie/