circus

circus entertainment in its modern form came to Ireland in 1784 when Philip Astley, a former soldier and established London showman, opened a riding school and auditorium for equine displays in Dublin. However, performing animals and travelling exhibitions of exotic species had been known at least from the mid‐17th century, while roving groups of performers such as acrobats have even older roots. Astley's success, perpetuated by his son, did not immediately lead to a succession of Irish imitators, and it was not until the middle of the 19th century that travelling circuses became popular and common forms of entertainment. Even then Ireland did not develop its own indigenous circuses, but was rather part of a circuit followed by British and foreign shows. In the British Isles as a whole, the star acts tended to be continental in origin. The short heyday of the circus came at the turn of the century. Shows were held not only in tents, but in theatres and music halls. A growth in the popularity of other entertainments, including spectator sports, the cinema, and ultimately television, has resulted in the decline of the circus. In recent years worries over animal welfare have given rise to some opposition to performances.

Neal Garnham