The first mention of a carnival in Ballymote was in 1939 when a carnival was organised to help fund the complete restoration
of the local church. A full diary of dancing was also held in the Loftus Hall. Based on newspaper research, we have found the
carnival ran for about ten years with the last one held in 1949. However, it was then restarted in 1954 and would run
annually for another 20 years until 1975. Initial the carnival was held in the fall but would end up running in
mid summer.