Ballinasloe (Béal Átha na Slua in Irish) is a town in the eastern extremity of County Galway in Ireland. The town developed as a crossing point on the River Suck, a tributary of the Shannon. The Irish placename — meaning the mouth of the ford of the crowds — reflects this purpose. The latter part of the name suggests the town has been a meeting place since ancient times. The Ballinasloe Fair is one of the oldest horse fairs in Europe, dating back to the 700s. Today the fair is still held, along with a festival that attracts up to 100,000 visitors from all over the world.