Baltinglass Livestock Mart - Horse and Cattle Sales

Baltinglass Mart has been a fixture of West Wicklow farming life since 1968, and the horse and cattle sales held here draw buyers, sellers, and curious onlookers from a wide radius. If you have any interest in livestock, rural trade, or simply want to see how agriculture actually works in this part of Ireland, a mart day is one of the most honest and lively things you can do. It suits farmers doing business, people looking to buy working animals, and anyone who appreciates the rhythm of a good auction ring.

What to expect

The mart on Mill Street is run by Kinsella Auctioneers, a family operation that has kept weekly sales going here for decades. Cattle sales take place regularly through the week, with weanling sales building through the autumn season. Horse sales are held on the second-last Sunday of the month at 12 noon, with an additional evening horse sale on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm - drawing dealers, breeders, and private buyers looking for working horses, cobs, and ponies. The ring is fast-moving and the auctioneers know their trade. If you are buying, you will need to register; if you are just watching, you can generally stand ringside and take it all in. The atmosphere is social as much as commercial - people come to meet neighbours, catch up on prices, and size up stock.

Getting there

Baltinglass sits on the River Slaney in west Wicklow, roughly 70 km south-west of Dublin. By car it is an easy drive via the N81 from Dublin or Blessington, or via Tullow from the south. The town is small and the mart on Mill Street is easy to find. Parking is generally available at or near the mart on sale days. Bus Eireann runs services from Dublin to Baltinglass, though mart timings are easier to meet by car if you are coming any distance.

While you’re in Baltinglass

The town has a good local feel, with cafes and shops along the main street worth a stop before or after the sale. There is more to see in Baltinglass and across Co. Wicklow.

Good to know

• Date: Friday, 31 July 2026
• Time: Various - horse sales typically at 12 noon (Sunday) or 7pm (Thursday evenings); confirm the July 31 cattle or horse sale time directly with the mart
• Price: Free to attend (buyers register on the day)
• Contact: 059 648 1055 or 087 978 1037; email mart@kinsella.ie
• Entries and information: Contact the mart in advance if you are bringing animals