Circus entertainment and almost getting a job!
Whenever I see a big top, I need to pull the car over and look. The brightly coloured canvas, whether in blues, reds or yellows, brings out the inner child in us all. A circus that recently came to town had me hooked, and with two of my sons, we bought tickets to Circus Corvenieo. It was impressive and by the end of the show we were mesmerised by all the escapism.
In an era long before double glazing blocked out sounds, you would hear every noise outside your home. Growing up in the countryside, we knew the reverberation of practically every tractor engine and some cars too, that travelled the road daily. You knew it was the neighbour off to town or such and such heading to the creamery. Then again, there was less traffic during the 1970s and early 80s. That said, there is one thing that I happily remember - it was the sound and visual impact of the circus weaving its way to town.
The family home is below the Shercock road, leading to Cootehill, and there would be a cornucopia of engine sounds when Circus lorries and the multicoloured cavalcade of cars, vans and caravans came into view. The lorries were much louder than the conventional trucks that normally roamed our roads.
In the infant years of the last century, on the same stretch of road, our grandfather Andrew Smyth witnessed something he never forgot. As a teenager, he regularly went on visits to help his aunt and uncle who lived at the Hollow and they welcomed an extra hand around the farm. Andrew lived at the local railway station where his father was stationmaster. One day, sometime around 1917 he went to bring the cows in for milking and having walked up the little lane used by neighbours as a mass pass, leading out onto the Shercock Road, he was suddenly caught unawares and, looking to his left, what did he see? Walking towards him was a huge elephant! I am sure it must have startled him. He suddenly realised that the circus was on its way.
At school we had a ringside view of circuses being set up, which was almost more fun than going to see it. The Cow Green in Cootehill was a central site used for many years by every circus from Fossett’s to the memorable Courtney Brothers to Duffy's Circus. I particularly remember the clang of sledgehammers swinging down on the metal poles as they hammered them into the ground to hold the huge tent in place.
Founded in 1775, Duffy's Circus is certainly Ireland's oldest company. Another great Irish performer, Fossett’s Circus, was started in 1888. Circus life changed enormously in 2020 when the practice of including animals in shows was outlawed. I well remember horses as part of the act, elephants and seals too.
In 1868, Ginnett’s French Circus brought drama to Cavan with Professor Pelham's walk across an invisible glass ceiling, with head downwards, accompanied by ‘performances of the horses and ponies’, to bring ‘an acceptable treat’ to the people of Cavan. Then in 1871, Batty’s Model Circus arrived in Cavan Town with their ‘magnificent stud of horses’, acts including Signora Annettino, the Lady Somersault Thrower on horseback, and also, ‘the Wonder of the World! The Man Serpent.’ Two grand processions took place at 1pm and later at 6:30pm. The two shows were opened at 2pm and 7pm on Wednesday, August 9.
In June 1895, Cooney’s Circus came to Clones, Belturbet, Cavan, Ballyjamesduff, and Kells, with its ‘20 star artistes, American, Irish and continental novelties and specialities'. The performers consisted of the Graceful Lady, bareback riders, gentleman riders, the lofty trapeze artists, wire walkers, jugglers, globe acts, Japanese and Arab tumblers, musical clowns, performing dogs and monkeys. Cooney's admission fee was priced three shillings for boxes; two shillings for stalls; one shilling for the amphitheatre; and six shillings for the gallery.’
Davies Circus with its ‘high class novelty combination’ acts visited Ballyjamesduff, Cavan, Arva, and Granard in 1899. Davies Circus boasted of having the best bareback riders, the funniest clowns, most daring gymnasts and athletes, including their classical acrobatic musical experts.
In July 1942, Duffy's Circus, then billed as John Duffy's Circus, came to Belturbet. While at that town they experienced a tragic incident when one of the circus team, a man named Daniel Sullivan, aged 20, brought the horses out to Creeny Bridge to water them and, while doing so, he fell into the River Erne and not being able to swim, got swept away. His body was later recovered by Garda J.J. McCawley. Deceased was identified by a fellow circus employee and son of the owner, J.J. Duffy Jnr, and circus member Patrick Harrington who explained that Mr Sullivan had wanted to take the horses for a swim but fell in and got swept away.
Daniel Sullivan was from Bantry, Co Cork, and his father was a serving soldier in the Curragh, Co Kildare. Daniel’s remains were brought to St Mary's Church on Monday, July 26, and the funeral took place the following day to Drumlee, Belturbet. The Rev J. Brady, PP, officiated, while the Christian Brothers School formed a guard of honour.
The world famous Cirque du Soleil with its acrobatic acts is perhaps the most modern influence on present day acts. Earlier influences on the evolution of this art form include the American Ringling Brothers and P.T. Barnham on whom the musical 'The Greatest Showman' is based.
Along with the children we went to Electric Picnic in 2013, and our family were excited to find that Fossett's Circus were performing. We got candy floss, popcorn and, shortly into the start of the show, I got my big moment when they called me up to take part in an act. Being funny is a hard act, I have always heard, but when the clown threw the giant bouncing ball in my direction, the whole audience went into uproarious laughter. We all need entertainment. That said, Fossett’s did not follow up with a job offer.
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