Launch of 'Voices of the Showmen'

The ISACS Network invite you to the launch of 'Voices of the Showmen' together with our partners in the Irish Showman's Guild, the University of Galway Library and Archives Ireland at this special event celebrating this extraordinary community of people, their legacy and their memories.

This unique digital oral history archive has been supported by the Heritage Council of Ireland. Members of the Irish travelling show, variety acts, fairgrounds, fit-ups, travelling cinema and classical circus community share their experiences of life across the last century and memories passed down through word of mouth.

Learn about ninety-four-year-old Harry McFaddens story spanning across variety acts to travelling cinema right up to today’s McFadden’s Funfairs. Hear from Eddie Fossett and David Duffy as they each describe life on the road as two distinct and renowned Irish circus families. Discover the stories of Mona Courtney and Queenie McCormick whose families led the way in variety and travelling drama. Finally, the archive has captured the voices of Ronnie Lyons, Joe & Thomas Cullen as well as Sharon & Marie Piper Gregan’s voices as long-standing members of the travelling fair.

Having been recognised by the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage we are proud to collectively contribute to the preservation and development of the pioneering work that Showmen have delivered within the Irish arts world for over two centuries.

Join us online and discover these fascinating histories.