Irish circus back on the road with winter shows to recoup pandemic losses

The ringmaster of one of Ireland’s oldest circuses has broken with tradition to stage big tent shows during the winter in a bid to recoup huge pandemic losses.

David Duffy, of Tom Duffy’s Circus, admitted the 150-year family business was close to going bust during lockdown as it struggled for almost 16 months to secure state support.

Mr Duffy said: “We came very close to disappearing with the as we were getting no support during the pandemic.”

The circus features a mix of acts including acrobatics and magic, culminating with the “Space Wheel of Death”.

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