Hotels and B&Bs all booked out ahead of Easter weekend Trim balloon extravaganza

The Trim Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, which takes place this weekend, is expected to result in a major boost for the local economy, particularly the tourism and hospitality industries. Meath Tourism Officer Michele Whelan said that accommodation providers in the town are all booked out for the weekend, equating to approximately 1,000 bed nights. Nearly all hotels, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses in the town are fully booked and the fiesta organising committee is looking for further accommodation in the county to cope with the demand. Ms Whelan said that approximately 300 bedrooms have been filled over the weekend and that some visitors are staying the full week and taking in a trip around Meath and the Boyne Valley while they're here. She added that, as well as families and couples who are going along to the fiesta, rooms are also being booked by the large number of people involved in the event, including the teams helping with the balloons and the people involved with the market. Visitors are coming from London, a large number from Northern Ireland, Achill Island, Galway, Cork, Kerry, Dublin. Ms Whelan said the festival was a great example of where everyone worked together, came up with an idea and went with it. "It is great for accommodation providers in the area, as well as the restaurants and pubs. A lot of local people will also be attending, and there should be a great buzz around the town." Trim is also benefiting from Easter Fairyhouse Racing Festival which also takes place this weekend, with accommodation bookings for this also. The Trim Hot Air Balloon Fiesta takes place from Friday 2nd to Monday 5th April and will see the skies over Trim come alive with a host of special-shaped hot air balloons for the festival, including a giant Easter chick and Easter bunny, Darth Vader, Thomas the Tank Engine and Sonic the Hedgehog. There will also be a rare chance to meet pioneer aviator Brian Jones who piloted the Breitling Orbiter 3 to become the first balloon to fly around the world non-stop, taking 19 days, 21 hours, and 55 minutes, during which time he and his co-pilot existed within a cramped capsule in often freezing temperatures. Jones is bringing a spectacular replica of this world record-setting balloon to Trim for the occasion. The programme on land will include family-fun activities such as street performers, Easter egg hunts, a teddy bear balloon flight for charity, duck racing, face-painting, carousels and other amusements, inflatable games and festival-style market stalls. Evening entertainment will include a 'night glow' spectacle on the banks of the Boyne and a medievel banquet. The medieval banquet will take place in Trim Castle Hotel on Easter Sunday and will be themed on the film 'Braveheart'. Locals had the unique opportunity in 1994 of becoming extras for the York scenes and other scenes in 'Braveheart' filmed in the castle and surrounding areas of Trim. The medieval banquet will be an opportunity to relive those memories and to 'eat, drink and be merry'.