Five things to do this week
Head to Ballinasloe Horse Fair All roads lead to Ballinasloe this week for the annual horse fair kicking off on Saturday, October 4, and running until the following Sunday in the east Galway town. There is something for everyone in the packed programme with the Ballinasloe Agricultural Show starting on first day, street entertainment, vintage parade, markets and all-day horse fair, just a flavour of the attractions for the long running and popular event. For further information check www.ballinasloeoctoberfair.com Don county colours for GOAL on jersey day Show your county pride and raise some money for the charity, GOAL this Friday, October 3. The idea is very simple - schools and businesses around Westmeath and the midlands area are asked to wear their favourite jersey, club or county for the day and give a donation to GOAL for the privilege. Last year"s Jersey Day was an outstanding success, with over €230,000 raised for GOAL"s work in the developing world. Proceeds this time around will go towards the charity"s innovative housing programme in Uganda. For further information call 01 2809779 or visit www.goal.ie Get your tickets for Athlone"s hottest fashion show Fashionistas will be out in force for the highly anticipated Burgess Fashion Show next Tuesday, October 7, in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel and now is the time to snap up tickets for the event. Top model Andrea Roche will act as MC and as judge of the best dressed lady competition with a €500 voucher, champagne and flowers up for grabs for the winner. The evening begins with a champagne reception at 7.30pm followed by the show at 8pm featuring the must have looks for autumn/winter. Tickets are €40 and are available at Burgess Department Store, Elliott"s Opticians, The Westmeath Independent offices or by calling 087 2174112. All proceeds go to South Westmeath Hospice. Donegal funnyman hits Ballinasloe "Live and Still Full of It!" is the brand new show from Donegal funnyman Conal Gallen, who makes a return visit to The Carlton Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, later this month. Known for his absolutely hilarious stories and songs like "Horse It Into Ya Cynthia", the Donegal native who has been described as a legend in his own trousers will tickle the funnybones of his midland based fans on Friday, October 24, next. For tickets call 090 9630401. Go walking in Ecuador Bóthar, the sustainable development organisation working in 40 countries, is looking for interested participants for a fundraising horse trek through Ecuador next year. The 11-day trip in June 2009 will take riders on an exhilarating journey through the high Andes of the South American country, across vast grassy plains to remote areas between the snowcapped "Avenue of Volcanoes". According to Bóthars Leinster Regional Director, Aisling Donoghue, the trek is a once in a lifetime opportunity to complete circuit including the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano, the wild highlands and the seldom visited open plains high in the Andes and raise money for Bóthar in the process. For further information call 01 4981888 or email:aisling@bothar.ie