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John McCarthy’s Circus Bar Archive Showcases the Great John Duffy and Sons

Name: John McCarthy’s Circus Bar Archive Showcases the Great John Duffy and Sons
Start: 2026-08-15
End: 2026-09-30
Location: Limerick

This free exhibition at Limerick Museum highlights the history of the John Duffy and Sons Circus, one of Ireland's most famous traveling shows. Featuring artifacts from the John McCarthy Circus Bar Archive, the display explores the legacy of the 'Irish Circus King' through vintage posters, photographs, and rare memorabilia.

Date: Aug 15 - Sep 30, 2026
Location: Limerick
Status: Recently ended

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John McCarthy’s Circus Bar Archive Showcases the Great John Duffy and Sons

Event summary

Highlights

Rare posters and photographs from the John McCarthy Circus Bar Archive
Chronicles the history of John Duffy and Sons Circus from 1891 to 1960s
Explores the legacy of the three John Duffys, including the 'Irish Circus King'
Free public admission at the Limerick Museum

Running through September 2026, 'John McCarthy’s Circus Bar Archive Showcases the Great John Duffy and Sons' is a historical exhibition held at Limerick Museum. It chronicles the story of the Duffy family circus, which was founded in 1891 and remained a major fixture of Irish entertainment until the early 1960s. Curated by Tony McCarthy, the exhibition focuses on the contributions of three generations of showmen named John Duffy, including the second John Duffy, who earned fame as the 'Irish Circus King.'

The materials on display are drawn from the John McCarthy Circus Bar Archive, which originated in a Cappamore pub in 1895. Visitors can view a significant selection of Irish and European circus history, including historic photographs, posters, press cuttings, and modular displays. This exhibition provides a rare public look into one of Europe's largest private collections of circus memorabilia, offering insight into the cultural impact of traveling shows in Ireland and the preservation efforts of the McCarthy family.

Practical details

Location described by the source: Limerick Museum; www.live95fm.ie
Area for browsing nearby events: Limerick

Before attending

Check the sources below for current opening times, admission prices and registration requirements. A date range does not mean the event runs continuously or that admission is free.