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Irish Circus History

Explore the Stories, History and Magic Behind the Irish Circus, from Georgian showgrounds to the golden age of the ring.

About Our Irish Circus History Site

Discover the fascinating world of the Irish circus with our informative blog exploring Irish circus history, traditions, performers, and the evolution of circus entertainment in Ireland. Learn about the colourful heritage, remarkable stories, and unique traditions that have shaped the Irish circus over the years. Join us as we uncover the magic and history behind Ireland’s captivating circus culture.

Discover the World of Irish Circus

Step into the fascinating world of circus and explore the history, traditions, and stories behind this timeless form of entertainment. From its origins to the performances we enjoy today, our blog takes you on an exciting journey of discovery, bringing the magic of the circus to life.

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Powell & Clarke's Irish Adventures

written by J.P. Browne The Powell and Clarke Circus began on the 4th of February, 1867 in a town called Dudley in England. The original Circus was started by three circus men called Anthony Powell, George Foottit and Alfred Clarke which they named “Powell, Foottit & Clarke’s Great Allied Circus”. Powell and Clarke were both equestrians, while Foottit was a clown. The Powell, Foottit and Clarke Circus began life as an English Midlands Circus with places like Worcester, Herefor

Powell & Clarke's Irish Adventures

Seventy Six Years a Showman

How to Lose a Tober

Powell & Clarke's Irish Adventures

Seventy Six Years a Showman

The following is the memoir written by former circus proprietor John Duffy of Duffy's Circus. The title says 'John Duffy The Irish Barnum' but in the printing I have of it the title is "76 Years a Showman" so I am sticking with it as I have seen this title cited by circus historians such as the late great Richard McMinn and Patrick Houlihan. This was supposedly a memoir written for advertising purposes but you would also imagine for himself so he would have something for pros

How to Lose a Tober

written by J.P Browne A Tober which is Circus slang for a lot or site that the Circus can perform in are tough to come by. Ask any circus proprietor and they will tell you the difficulties year in and year out of trying to get the perfect site for a circus to perform. The site should be something highly visible in the town for publicity with access to amenities and convenient parking for customers to get to are some of the easier items I can list. Over the years it’s become

Duffys Circus - 1950 and onward

written by J.P. Browne In the previous article on the Duffy’s Circus we reached up to the post war years and the death of John Duffy II in 1944. After his passing, the circus was taken over by John Duffy III and his brother James (Jimmy) ensuring the success of the Circus through the rest of the 1940’s. Just how popular was the Circus in Ireland back then? Richard McMinn states that in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim the “queues to see the John Duffy Circus was so large that an extra

Duffy's Circus - The Early Years

written by J.P. Browne The Duffy Family along with the Fossett’s are probably the best-known circus family in Ireland having being on the road in Ireland since 1891 in one reiteration or another. The Duffy dynasty started with Patrick James Duffy, a boot and shoemaker by trade who was born in Dublin in 1797. Himself and his wife, a woman called Bridget Galy became the first members who started into the circus life when they at some stage joined a circus and went on the road

John Moriarty's Circus Memories

written by John Moriarty and Robert Elliot I am currently writing about a particular Irish Circus when I found an old print-out about Irish Strongman John Moriarty. My family knew John slightly which was why we had a print-out of this interview of him. I had heard of this writing several times and seen it cited before in other circus articles but hadn't come across it myself. I am therefore putting in up on the website to make it easier for other people to find and so John's