The skies over County Roscommon are about to get a lot more colourful.

The 54th Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships return to Lough Key Forest & Activity Park in Boyle from Saturday 19 September to Friday 25 September 2026, bringing balloon teams from Ireland and across the world to one of the most scenic locations in the country.

After the success of the championships at Lough Key in 2025, the event is back for another week of spectacular early-morning launches, evening flights, competitions and a brilliant family-friendly atmosphere.

If you've never seen dozens of hot air balloons rising over Lough Key before, this could be one of the most memorable events to catch in Roscommon this September.

When Are the Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships 2026?

The championships take place from Saturday 19 – Friday 25 September 2026 at Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, Boyle, County Roscommon.

Flights are planned for approximately:

• Morning: 7am
• Evening: 5pm

However, ballooning is extremely weather dependent. Wind speed, visibility and other conditions all need to be suitable before pilots can launch, so flights can be delayed, moved or cancelled at relatively short notice. If you're travelling specifically to see the balloons, it's worth checking the latest event updates before setting off.

What Are the Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships?

The Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships bring together balloon pilots and crews for a week of flying challenges.

Teams compete in a variety of tasks designed to test precision, skill and navigation. Unlike powered aircraft, hot air balloons largely travel wherever the wind takes them, so pilots use different altitudes and air currents to try to control their direction — which makes every flight slightly different.

For spectators, though, the real attraction is simply seeing the sky filled with colourful balloons above one of Ireland's most beautiful lakes.

Balloon Teams From Around the World

The 2026 championships are expected to welcome balloon pilots and crews from several countries, including Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany and the United States.

For a relatively small town like Boyle, having international balloon teams arriving for an entire week gives the event a really special atmosphere.

The Best Time to See the Balloons

If conditions are suitable, balloon flights are planned twice each day.

Morning Flights

The morning launch is planned for around 7am. Yes, that's early — but if you manage to drag yourself out of bed, this could actually be the best time to see the balloons.

Lough Key can be incredibly calm first thing in the morning, and balloons reflected across the still water make for some spectacular photographs. There's also something slightly magical about watching huge balloons slowly inflate as the sun rises.

Evening Flights

Evening flights are planned for around 5pm — obviously easier for families and anyone who doesn't fancy a 6am alarm. The park can become busier for evening flights, particularly when the weather forecast looks good.

Don't Miss the Flying Suitcase

There is one balloon in particular worth watching out for in 2026.

A giant suitcase-shaped hot air balloon is expected to appear over Roscommon during the championships. Known as The Flying Suitcase, the unusual balloon measures around 22 metres wide and is large enough internally to hold the equivalent volume of around 25 double-decker buses.

It has been created by Northern Ireland-based luggage company Send My Bag as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations — and it's attempting a Guinness World Records title for flying in the most countries by the same hot air balloon within one year. Lough Key is one stop on that international journey.

Weather permitting, The Flying Suitcase is expected to fly from Lough Key between 19 and 23 September, with launches planned around 7am and 5pm. That's probably going to be one of the most photographed balloons of the week.

Is It Free to Watch?

You don't need a ticket simply to watch hot air balloons flying over the area.

However, parking for flight events at Lough Key must be booked in advance, and organisers have warned that demand can be high. If you're planning to watch from Lough Key Forest & Activity Park itself, book your parking before travelling. The park is likely to become particularly busy for good-weather evening flights and at the weekend.

Why Lough Key Is Such a Brilliant Location

It's difficult to imagine a better setting for hot air balloons than Lough Key.

The park sits beside the lake and is surrounded by woodland, islands and rolling countryside. When conditions are calm, the balloons can reflect almost perfectly on the water. Last year's championships produced some incredible scenes, with balloons floating just above the lake and passing close to landmarks around Lough Key.

Even without the balloons, the park is one of the best family days out in this part of Ireland.

Things to Do at Lough Key While You're There

One of the advantages of the championships taking place at Lough Key is that there's plenty to do between flights.

Forest Walks — Several walking routes wind through the park, and September is when the first autumn colours begin appearing, making it a particularly nice time to explore.

Tree Canopy Walk — The canopy experience takes visitors through the woodland and above parts of the former Rockingham Estate.

Boda Borg — If the weather isn't cooperating with the balloons, Boda Borg gives you a completely different indoor activity, with teams working through a series of physical and mental challenges inside themed rooms.

Lakeside Walks — Sometimes the best thing to do is simply walk along the lake and wait to see whether the balloons appear.

Visit Boyle While You're There

Don't just drive straight back out of the area once the balloons land.

Boyle is only a few minutes away and is well worth exploring — Boyle Abbey, King House, the town centre and local cafés and restaurants are all worth a visit. The championships are also being supported by the Boyle Town Team, with a wider ballooning festival atmosphere planned around the town, including live music, fireworks and more.

What Happens if the Weather Is Bad?

This is the most important thing to understand before visiting.

Hot air balloons cannot safely fly in poor weather or strong winds. A clear blue sky does not necessarily mean conditions are suitable either — pilots consider wind speeds at different altitudes, visibility and forecast changes before deciding whether to launch.

Never assume a flight is guaranteed simply because one is scheduled. If conditions aren't safe, the balloons stay on the ground. It's disappointing, but safety has to come first.

Is the Event Good for Children?

Definitely.

Watching hot air balloons inflate is fascinating for children, especially once the burners start firing and the envelopes begin rising from the ground. And because Lough Key already has playgrounds, walks and other attractions, it can easily become a full family day out.

The main thing to remember is that there can be waiting involved. Bring snacks, drinks and something to keep younger children entertained while you wait.

What Should You Bring?

September weather in Roscommon can change quickly. We'd bring:

• Waterproof jackets
• Warm layers
• Comfortable shoes or boots
• Drinks and snacks
• Camera or phone
• Portable charger
• Folding chair or picnic blanket

And for the morning flights, bring something warm. Standing beside a lake at 7am in late September can feel considerably colder than the afternoon forecast suggests.

Photography Tips

The championships are an absolute dream for photographers.

For the best shots, try arriving before the balloons fully inflate — that gives you the chance to photograph balloons being prepared, burners firing, balloons rising from the ground, reflections on Lough Key, balloons over Castle Island and wide shots of multiple balloons together.

Morning flights can provide some of the most dramatic conditions, particularly if there is mist sitting above the lake. And with the unusual Flying Suitcase appearing this year, there should be no shortage of interesting subjects.

Where to Stay

If you're travelling from outside Roscommon and want to catch a morning flight, staying nearby makes things much easier.

Look for accommodation around Boyle, Carrick-on-Shannon, Roscommon, Drumshanbo or Ballyfarnon. For photographers, staying close to Boyle could be particularly useful because you can reach Lough Key before sunrise without an extremely early drive.

Getting to Lough Key

Lough Key Forest & Activity Park is located just outside Boyle in County Roscommon, easily accessible by road from surrounding towns.

• Boyle: a few minutes
• Carrick-on-Shannon: around 15–20 minutes
• Roscommon Town: around 35–40 minutes
• Sligo: around 40–45 minutes

Traffic around the park may be heavier than usual during championship launches, so allow extra time. And remember — if you're parking at the park for a flight event, pre-book your parking.

54th Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships at a Glance

Dates: 19–25 September 2026

Location: Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, Boyle, County Roscommon

Morning flights: Approximately 7am

Evening flights: Approximately 5pm

Flights guaranteed: No — completely weather dependent

Parking: Advance booking required for flight events at Lough Key

Special attraction: The Flying Suitcase world-record-attempt balloon

Best for: Families, photographers, aviation fans and anyone looking for something unusual to see in Ireland

---

The Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships aren't something you see every weekend.

For one week in September, the skies above Lough Key and Boyle will be filled with colourful balloons flown by crews from Ireland and around the world. The setting makes it even more special — seeing a hot air balloon drifting over the still waters of Lough Key is impressive enough. Seeing dozens of them gathering in one of Roscommon's most beautiful locations is something else entirely.

And with the unusual Flying Suitcase joining the event as part of an international world-record attempt, 2026 has an added attraction.

If the weather plays along, the 54th Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships at Lough Key could be one of the standout events in Roscommon this September. Just remember to check the latest flight updates before travelling — and if you want to watch from the park itself, book your parking in advance.