Stunning Spectacle of Hot Air Balloons over Tullamore this September
This September the skies above Tullamore, Co. Offaly will be filled with the beautiful sight of Hot Air Balloons, with the 52nd Annual Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championships taking place from Saturday afternoon 21st September to Thursday 26th inclusive.
Referred to as “The Irish Meet”, this is the longest running annual national ballooning event in the world and a perfect day out!
Tullamore will host a unique and spectacular event featuring up to 20 Hot Air balloons and their crews from around the world. This is a private event for hobby balloonists and has proven to be an amazing spectator sport for the public.
Organisers invite the public to come out and see the balloons as they launch saying. “The balloons will make a spectacular display in the skies over Tullamore so bring your camera.
The attraction of so many balloons flying can be mesmerizing, so we issue a note of caution to be mindful of traffic and road users while enjoying the spectacle!”
This year’s launch sites include – Tullamore Town Park and Annaharvey Farm with flights taking place – weather permitting- every morning (7.30 am approx.) and late afternoons (17.30 approx) during the week.
The location selected will be dependent on conditions on the day. Balloonists from UK, USA, France, Holland, Belgium, Chile, Germany and Ireland are regular attendees to the event (which is by invitation only). The event, the biggest of its kind in Ireland, is a huge spectacle with these huge ancient aircraft flying totally dependent on the wind for direction.
Flights are due to take place from Saturday afternoon and will then run through to Friday evening with two scheduled flights per day, launching in the mornings and late afternoons. Flights are 100% weather dependent.
Pilots participate in a briefing with the Championships Director prior to each planned where a fly/ no fly decision will be made. As soon as this decision is made, a post will be put on the official Irish BallooningChampionship Facebook.
The organisers are grateful for support and sponsorship from Visit Offaly, Tullamore Town, Offaly County Council, Calor, Charleville Castle Heritage Trust, Westland, Annaharvey Farm, Dotster Cloud Solutions and Ger Rogers Photography.
For more information about the Championships, the Irish Ballooning Association and Ballooning, please visit www.irishballooningassociation.com