An estimated 85,000 people are expected in Ballinasloe this weekend where the world's longest-running horse fair was officially opened this afternoon.
The 2007 Ballinasloe International Horse Fair and Festival was officially opened this afternoon and will run for nine days until Sunday 7th October.
The fair takes place on Ballinasloe's fair green.
Guest of honour at this year's fair was Liam Aylward, Member of European Parliament Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.