‘The Flying Suitcase’ to appear Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle at the upcoming Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships
A hot air balloon shaped like a gigantic suitcase will fly at the Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships at Lough Key Forest Park as it attempts to set a new world record.
Nicknamed “The Flying Suitcase”, the 22-metre-wide balloon was created by Down-based luggage delivery company Send My Bag to celebrate its twentieth anniversary.
The company is attempting to secure a Guinness World Records title for the most countries visited by a hot-air balloon in 12 months.
The company plans to visit 30 destinations across Europe this autumn before taking The Flying Suitcase to Australia, the Americas and Asia in 2027.
This includes Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle, which is hosting the Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships for the second consecutive year.
The competition returned to Boyle in 2025 following a 34-year absence and drew large crowds to north Roscommon.
Weather permitting, The Flying Suitcase is expected to take part in flights at Lough Key Forest Park each day from September 19–23. Flights are generally planned for approximately 7am and 5pm, although times may change or flights may be cancelled at short notice.
Qualifying flights will be assessed for duration and altitude and logged as part of the global record attempt.
The company behind the novel flight was founded in 2006 by Adam Ewart after he and his girlfriend were charged excess-baggage fees while bringing her belongings home from university in England.
Since then, Send My Bag says it has completed more than one million moves worldwide.
Last year, it shipped to customers in over 160 countries.
Described as the “Uber for luggage”, the company is headquartered in Bangor, County Down and employs approximately 30 people.
“It still amazes me that a company that started here is now taking on a world record,” said Mr Ewart, the company’s CEO.
“We’re delighted Roscommon is part of that journey, and we’d love for people to come along to the championships and see The Flying Suitcase for themselves.”
The balloon is 22 metres wide, 16 metres tall and eight metres deep, with a volume of 110,000 cubic feet. Send My Bag claims it is roughly equivalent in size to 25 double-decker buses.
Frank Meldon, Event Director for the Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships, said The Flying Suitcase would be among the standout attractions at this year’s event.
“Special-shaped balloons always get people talking, and this year The Flying Suitcase is the only one of its kind in the skies over Roscommon, so it’s going to be a real focal point for spectators and photographers,” he said.
“It’s also the only balloon at this year’s event chasing a Guinness World Record, which gives the whole championships an extra bit of excitement. We’re delighted Send My Bag picked Roscommon as part of their journey, and we’d love for people to come down to Lough Key Forest Park and see it for themselves.”