Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Tens of thousands of people came into Ballinasloe this weekend for the Ballinasloe Fair and Festival. It was wonderful because it has not run for the last two years. This was its 300th anniversary. It was about meeting family and friends and about having a lot of craic and ceol in the town. We had music and bands, particularly those that are well-known locally, although they are well-known nationally as well, from Mike Denver to Rachel Goode. The committee, together with Galway County Council, had put together an excellent programme of events. It was not just last weekend. It will be on this weekend as well.There will be fireworks on Friday night. This is such a real entertainment for young people and children in our area and their families. There is a vintage show and craft fair this Sunday so I encourage people to come out and engage again, particularly older people. It is so crucial to come back and engage.

I acknowledged Damian Browne, the man who rowed from New York to Galway. This was a marathon 112-day journey. He is incredible. He came back to his wife and child. He had a little engagement with the rocks at Furbo along the way but he got into Galway and he did it. Talk about resilience and strength. He fund-raised for four different charities and raised more than €50,000, so I just acknowledge Damian Browne.