four driving schools in and near the town, as well as a dance school located on Society Street. On 12 November 2021, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Education Norma Foley visited Ballinasloe to announce the approval of a new eight classroom building for St Teresa's Special School. Twin towns Ballinasloe has been twinned with Chalonnes-sur-Loire, in Maine-et-Loire, France, since 1988. People George Brent (1904-1979) - actor Denis Delaney (1841-1919) - piper Aisling Dolan (b. 1975/1976) - Fine Gael politician and Senator Cyril Donnellan (b. 1985) - former Galway hurler, current deputy principal of Coláiste Bhaile Chláir Cyril Dunne (b. 1941) - Gaelic football player John Dunne (1911-1990) - Gaelic football coach, player, referee and Gaelic games administrator John Feeley (b. 1955) - classical guitarist Conor Finn (b. 1992) - rugby player Patrick Green (1824-1889) - VC recipient Catherine E. Greene (b. 1960) - sculptor Saint Grellan (5th Century) - Patron Saint of Ballinasloe Desmond Hogan (b. 1950) - writer Shane Jennings (b. 2001) - rugby player Denis Madden (b. 1948) - Garda Síochána officer Noel Mannion (b. 1963) - rugby player Colm McLoughlin (b. 1943) - businessman Ray McLoughlin (b. 1939) - rugby player and businessman Seán na Maighe Ó Cellaigh (1538-1584) - local chief of western Connacht John Kernan Mullen (1847-1929) - Irish-American businessman and philanthropist Richie Murray (b. 1982) - hurler Beibhinn Parsons (b. 2001) - Ireland women's rugby union international Heather Payne (b. 2000) - Irish women's footballer John O'Connor Power (1846-1919) - politician Colm Reilly (b. 1999) - rugby player Noel Treacy (b. 1951) - politician Eoghan Ó Tuairisc (1919-1982) - poet and writer Annalistic references From the Annals of Lough Cé: LC1114.3. A hosting by Domhnall Mac Lachlainn to Rath-Cennaigh, when Eochaidh Ua Mathghamhna, with the Ulidians, came into his house, and Donnchadh Ua Loingsigh, with the Dal-Araidhe, and Aedh Ua Ruairc, with the men of Breifne, and Murchadh Ua Maelsechlainn, with the men of Midhe. They all proceeded across Ath-Luain to Dun-Leodha [the original name of Ballinasloe] where Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair, with the Connachtmen, aud Niall, son of Domhnall Mac Lachlainn, with the chieftains of Clann-Conaill, came into his assembly. See also List of towns and villages in Ireland Further reading References External links ballinasloe.ie - Ballinasloe Town website with events guide, directory and local information ballinasloe.org - Independent site with articles on Ballinasloe's history and genealogical research Towns and villages in County