Six men were arrested this weekend as a violent incident broke out at the closing day of an international horse fair.

The Ballinasloe International October Fair and Festival is the oldest and largest traditional horse fair.

The annual festival takes place at The Fairgreen, Society Street in Ballinasloe, County Galway.

The Horse Fair and Equestrian Days took place earlier in the month, on Sunday and Monday, October 4 and 5, with the final day on Saturday, October 10.

The festival officially wraps up on Sunday, October 11. On the day, a Kids Day will take place.

On Saturday, Gardaí confirmed they had arrested six males ‘following an incident of violent disorder’ while on proactive patrol.

Five of the males continue to be detained at a Garda station in the Garda North Western Region.

Gardaí say this includes four aged in their 20s, and one in his 30s. All four men have been charged and will appear before a special sitting of Loughrea District Court at 11am on Sunday.

A sixth male, a juvenile, was released without charge pending further enquiries.

A statement from An Garda Síochána said: ‘Gardaí on proactive patrol in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, arrested six males following an incident of violent disorder at St Michael’s Square on Saturday, 10th October 2026.’

They added that investigations were ‘ongoing.’

It comes as the Ballinasloe Horse Fair wraps up this weekend. The fair dates back to the 18th century, and attracts up to 80,0000 visitors from all over the world.

Organisers of the fair say it is ‘one of the most important social and economic events’ in Ballinasloe, which is the second largest town in Galway.

‘The town is also renowned for horse and pony riding, show jumping and other equestrian activities which take place throughout the year.