25/09/2026
And that’s a wrap on the 54th Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships at Lough Key Forest & Activity Park. 🎈
What a week. What a spectacle. What memories.
A huge thank you to Frank, Laura and the all members of the Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championships, to every pilot and crew member, and everyone who travelled to Lough Key to be part of it.
A special thank you too to Roscommon County Council, Lisa Joy and everyone who helped make the return happen. To Boyle Gardai, Boyle Town Team, our Shuttle Bus operators and anyone else we have forgotten to thank - we are so grateful. To all the visitors, literally thousands of you, thanks for your patience, co-operation and enthusiasm! And, if we’re honest, a little pat on the back to ourselves here at Lough Key — we pushed hard to get the Championships back after all these years, and seeing those balloons back over the lake again has made it all worthwhile.
And to the Lough Key staff — thank you. You pulled together, worked incredibly hard and delivered a week we’ll never forget. ❤️
As for 2027…
We’ll take a breath, get everyone around the table, have a proper debrief and see where we go from here.
We’d certainly love to see the balloons back over Lough Key. 🎈
But nothing is ever guaranteed.
So for now…
Remember the days. Remember the balloons. Remember the memories.
Because whatever happens next, that week will never be forgotten — and it will go down in Lough Key history for sure....
Image Credit: David Knight Photography
