On the 16th December 1756 King George II granted to the Earl of Donegal "the right to hold two fairs yearly at the town and lands of Ballyclare, yielding therefore yearly to us the sum of thirteen shillings and four pence for the said fairs to be paid forever."
In those days it was more of a market for animals and when farmers hired their labouring men and boys at four times in the year. It later became the traditional May Fair held on a Tuesday in late May when hundreds of horses were traded. The great days of the horse fair ended with the First World War 1914-1918 and the growth of mechanisation.
However, in recent years the Main Street has once again echoed with the sound of horses being exercised and dealers shouting. This is not just a colourful revival of part of the town's cultural heritage, but a real market where bidding is keen. It is now the centrepiece of the week's activities alongside the amusements and the stalls in The Square. Traditionally the Mayor's parade opened the week-long fair, ending with a carnival, bands and fireworks on the Saturday night.
It is recorded in 1948 that a committee of local people came together to revive the May Fair after the years of the Second World War. It was to grow in the following years to become a week of festival, the mainstay being the late Billy Sharples' amusements cited in The Square for the enjoyment of children and adults. The character of the fair would be lost if there were no dodgems or modern day chairoplanes going around in the town centre with their musical tones.
So be aware council, you may be breaking a Royal Deed of the Land Law by destroying this historical, traditional Ballyclare May Fair dated from 1756 by His Most Excellent Majesty King George II to the Right Honourable Earl of Donegal.
William Cobain.
Rashee Road, Ballyclare.