As Niamh and Sean come to a decision about their relationship, Brian, Orla, Liam and Donal compete in a hot air balloon race over Ballykissangel.
It's the morning after the night before and Niamh and others are recovering from the bonfire and party at Sean Dillon's house. She's made up her mind about her future and desperately wants to tell Ambrose of her decision but he's busy. They agree that they will speak that evening. Ambrose saw how happy she was at the party and knows what she has to tell him. Brian Quigley is interested when he learns that a Frenchman has issued a challenge for a balloon race, one that would pay the winner a tidy sum. He's not quite prepared to fly in it himself however. Niamh expects the worst when Superintendent Foley tells her that Ambrose has had a serious fall.—garykmcd