58 Host Towns With All-Ireland final teams passing through on their way back from Croke Park and the annual Horse Fair & Festival just around the corner, the Aer Lingus International Hurling Festival comes to county Galway as part of Ireland’s 2013 gathering celebrations and Ballinasloe will play its part. Two London teams (St. Gabriel’s and Robert Emmet’s) along with Chicago GAA and an Australian All-Stars selection will do battle in Division 1A for the right to compete in the overall final in Pearse Stadium on September 21st. On Thursday and Friday, the four teams will face off in a round robin series to determine the Cup and Shield finalists but that won’t be the only activity in the East Galway town as Ballinasloe will welcome it’s visitors with plenty of entertainment throughout the week. The teams will be staying in Haydens Hotel and the Shearwater Hotel while many of the travelling parties will also be in Gullane’s Hotel. All three are supporting the festival and will be providing entertainment. Various events will be organised for the Australian contingent before their arrival but activities will kickoff in earnest from Wednesday when Chicago, Robert Emmet’s and St. Gabriel’s also arrive. There will be Bingo in Haydens Hotel and Tea Dancing in Gullanes for anyone arriving early on the Tuesday but from Wednesday afternoon, a full programme of event will ensure a hub of activity over three days. The official welcoming ceremony will take place in the Carlton Shearwater Hotel on Wednesday, September 18th. Along with a host of dignitaries, the four teams will be welcomed to ‘The Gateway to the West’ with a cocktail reception, canapés and finger buffet. To showcase the warm welcome from the Ballinasloe Town community, a great evening planned of music and entertainment featuring local artists and musicians is also planned along with a Trade Exhibition of local businesses in the Main Foyer. Thursday night will see a cultural night in Hayden’s Hotel. Singer Kevin Rohan will take centre stage in an evening of traditional music and dance as locals and the teams mingle and enjoy the local hospitality ahead of Friday’s games in the competition. Killimor’s Ambrose Gordon will be honoured with a special tribute night for his contributions in helping Galway players who have moved to London over the years. Sightseeing Tours are planned with trips to places like Aughrim, Clonmacnoise, Dubarry, the Bog and other landmarks. And the children from Ballinasloe and abroad will be catered for with fun and games planned in the Fair Green to build up the excitement ahead of the first set of matches at 2pm. For Golf enthusiasts, there may also be an opportunity to get in a round! Aer Lingus will supply branding for the town and local businesses throughout the week and along with decorations ahead of the October Fair starting the following weekend, Ballinasloe promises to be a very colourful place for the best part of three weeks. Hopefully, the town will be full of black and amber bunting to welcome the new arrivals with the spirit we welcomed our GAA and soccer heroes after their exploits earlier in the year. Ballinasloe gears up for Hurling Festival
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