The longest running hot air ballooning championship in the world takes place in the skies over Kells.
Whether it is floating over the plains of Africa or the fields of Meath,
There's something very serene and peaceful about ballooning.
Now in its thirty third year, Ireland holds the distinction of having the longest running hot air ballooning championship in the world. The week long event is taking place over Kells in County Meath.
There are only around fourteen hot air balloons in Ireland, but they are being joined this week by a record forty five balloons from eleven different countries, and as the championship director Joseph Leahy tells RTÉ News,
It's a great success so far.
The balloonists take off and land twice a day, and have a series of challenges to complete. It is the event's relaxed atmosphere which has ensured an ongoing popularity. Competitor Victor Mardones from Chile enjoys,
Meeting friends from different parts of the world and having the welcome from the Irish people.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 September 2003. The reporter is Richard Dowling.
